# NTSB FTW84LA201: Cessna A185F, N2177Q, Grand Isle, LA, April 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1984, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Grand Isle, LA
- Coordinates: 29.23981, -89.980018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2398&lon=-89.9800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21311
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21311/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA201

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, other
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PLT ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHEAST AT 15 KTS GUSTING TO 25 KTS. DURING AN EASTERLY TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE STRIP, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST WHICH LIFTED THE LEFT WING CAUSING THE PLANE TO DRIFT RIGHT & LIFT OFF. THE ACFT CLIMBED TO AN ALT OF ABOUT 30 FT AGL, BUT WOULD NOT REMAIN AIRBORNE. IT SETTLED INTO A MARSH WHERE THE LEFT GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2177Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503914
- Airframe hours: 662
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Newtron Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: BATON ROUGE, LA
- Airport: Elmer'S Island, runway 9, 2,800 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,006 total, 116 in this make and model, 2,920 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19840415060349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840415060349A), Apr 15, 1984: Cessna A185F, Grand Isle, LA, Substantial damage. Premature lift off occurred when gust of wind hit aircraft and it could not stay airborne. Touched down, flipped.

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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