# NTSB FTW84LA395: Cessna 172N, N737LD, Mandeville, LA, September 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1984, 16:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Mandeville, LA
- Coordinates: 30.369577, -90.079818 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3696&lon=-90.0798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21467
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA395
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21467/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA395

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE AN EMERG LANDING ON THE SOUTH LANES OF THE LAKE PONTCHATRANE CAUSEWAY BRIDGE AFTER ENCOUNTERING A LOSS OF ENG POWER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT FUEL TANKS REVEALED BOTH TANKS EMPTY. ACTIVATION OF THE FUEL TANK DRAIN VALVES & THE FUEL STRAINER YIELDED NO FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737LD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737LD-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 17269493 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269493
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph C. Milano III
- Registered owner: Ronald Dickens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: LA08, COVINGTON, LA
- Destination: MSY, NEW ORLEANS, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 422 total, 195 in this make and model, 388 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °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 19840914049079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840914049079A), Sep 14, 1984: Cessna 172N, Mandeville, LA, Substantial damage. Emergency landing on bridge due to fuel exhaustion. Struck guard rail.

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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