# NTSB FTW84LA203: Cessna 185F, N69GV, Belle Chasse, LA, April 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1984, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Belle Chasse, LA
- Coordinates: 29.840402, -90.000495 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8404&lon=-90.0005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21313/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA203

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, other
- Nose down, other

## Analysis

WHEN THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENG, IT 'HUNG UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COMPRESSION STROKE.' HE STATED THAT AFTER CONFIRMING THAT THE MAGNETOS WERE OFF, HE ATTEMPTED TO 'FREE THE PROPELLER BY HAND.' THE ENG STARTED AS SOON AS THE PROPELLER WAS MOVED. THE NON-PLT PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT TRIED TO STOP THE AIRPLANE WITH THE MAGNETO SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTINUED ABOUT 100 YDS, ROLLED THRU A GUARD RAIL & NOSED DOWN INTO A CANAL. THE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE 'BOTH' POSITION, FUEL MIXTURE WAS FULL RICH & THE THROTTLE WAS ADVANCED. A CHECK OF THE MAGNETOS REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69GV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N69GV), registered now, S/N 18502725, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- 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: 18502725
- Airframe hours: 2380
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Southern Seaplane Inc
- Registered owner: Southern Seaplane Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 14, 1984, 4 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,001 total, 1,355 in this make and model, 3,885 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- 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 19840418031359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840418031359A), Apr 18, 1984: Cessna A185F, Belle Chasse, LA, Minor damage. Engine hung up in middle of a compression stroke. Engine started when pilot moved prop. Aircraft ran into a canal.

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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