# NTSB FTW83LA428: Cessna 180A, N5030E, Stake Island, September 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1983, 19:45 local (Sep 11, 1983, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Stake Island
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21052
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA428
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21052/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA428

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - altimeter - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED, THAT WHILE FLYING OVER GULF WATERS HE FORGOT TO SET HIS ALTIMETER AND THOUGHT HE WAS AT 200 FT WHEN THE ACFT CONTACTED THE WATER. THE FLOAT WERE RIPPED OFF AND THE ACFT SANK IN ABOUT 10 FT OF WATER. THE PLT AND PASSENGER HELD ONTO THE FLOAT UNTIL MORNING AND THEN SWAM TO SHORE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5030E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5030E-2013-03-19), registration cancelled 2013-03-19, S/N 50330, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180A
- Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50330
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-460-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Blackjack Seaplane Charter Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ABETA SPRINGS, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830910051959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830910051959A), Sep 10, 1983: Cessna 180A, LA, Substantial damage. Forgot to set altimeter for a night water landing. Showed 200 feet on impact with the water.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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