# NTSB FTW84FA354: Cessna 180J, N9786G, Lafitte, LA, August 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1984, 10:32 local (15:32 UTC)
- Place: Lafitte, LA
- Coordinates: 29.710826, -90.100402 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7108&lon=-90.1004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21145
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA354
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21145/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA354

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT APPROACH AN OIL PRODUCTION PLATFORM LOCATED IN A MARSHY AREA NEAR THE DESTINATION AIRSTRIP. THEY REPORTED THAT THE ACFT MADE AN ABRUPT, STEEP LEFT TURN AT 200 TO 300 FT AGL, FOLLOWED BY WHAT THEY DESCRIBED AS AN ACCELERATED STALL. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING DOWN, ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PLT'S BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.211%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9786G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9786G-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 18052286, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J
- Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052286
- Airframe hours: 6485
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Datachem Corp.
- Registered owner: Harvey Canal Seaplane Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 2, 1984, 64 hours before
- Departed: LA14, HARVEY, LA
- Destination: BAYOU ST. DENIS, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,200 total, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19840820041679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840820041679A), Aug 20, 1984: Cessna 180J, Lafitte, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Entered a steep turn at low altitude. Nose pitched down, struck marshy ground. Flying while intoxicated.

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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