# NTSB FTW85LA003: Cessna 172, N5360D, Luling, LA, October 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1984, 10:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Luling, LA
- Coordinates: 29.920402, -90.360214 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9204&lon=-90.3602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21596
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21596/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - submerged object (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT ON FINAL APPROACH A GUST OF WIND CARRIED THE ACFT TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY. ACFT RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE. ACFT YAWED RIGHT AND CONTACTED GROUND IN UNCONTROLLED FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5360D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272544
- Airframe hours: 1683
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Ward
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1983
- Departed: LA37
- Airport: Chenevert Fld, runway 36, 3,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 90 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 10° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSY, 5 nm away

## 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 19841001053529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841001053529A), Oct 1, 1984: Cessna 172N, Luling, LA, Substantial damage. Gust of wind drifted aircrat to the right on level off. Right wing struck tree limb, ground looped.

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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