# NTSB FTW84LA042: Cessna A185F, N61394, Freemason Is., LA, November 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1983, 18:00 local (Nov 5, 1983, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Freemason Is., LA
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA042

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON THE RETURN LEG OF A FISHING TRIP AT NIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE FLOAT PLANE LIFTED OFF AFTER A FAIRLY LONG RUN ON SMOOTH WATER. HE STATED THAT AT 200 FT AGL & 90 KTS, HE INITIATED A 10 TO 15 DEG RIGHT TURN & ROLLED OUT ON A HEADING OF 350 DEG. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE WATER. THE PLT DID NOT HEAR OR FEEL ANYTHING UNUSUAL BEFORE IMPACT & HE DID NOT FEEL THE ACFT DESCEND. AFTER CRASHING, THE ACFT SANK IN APRX 15 FT OF WATER. THE PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT WAS NOT FOUND AFTER THE ACCIDENT & WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE DROWNED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE & THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WERE NOT WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS. HOWEVER, THE 2 TALKED TO ONE ANOTHER IN THE AIR POCKET WITHIN THE ACFT BEFORE EXITING & THE PASSENGER DID NOT MENTION ANY INJURY AT THAT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61394](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61394-2011-04-28), registration cancelled 2011-04-28, S/N 18504171, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504171
- Airframe hours: 935
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-540-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Russell D. Fagan
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1983, 78 hours before
- Destination: GPT, GULFPORT, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,614 total, 26 in this make and model, 7,421 as pilot in command, 114 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F

## 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 19831104056629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831104056629A), Nov 4, 1983: Cessna A185F, Freemason Islan, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Made night water takeoff then failed to note aircraft descent to collision with the water. Glassy water no lights.

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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