# NTSB FTW85LA107: Cessna A185F, N53064, Belle Chase, LA, January 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1985, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Belle Chase, LA
- Coordinates: 29.8404, -89.999916 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8404&lon=-89.9999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA107

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear shock absorbing strut - separation
- Nose over, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD DIVERTED BACK TO THE DEPARTURE APRT DUE TO WX. AFTER LANDING, HE WAS 'STEP TAXIING' ON THE WATER WITH NO REPORTED DIFFICULTIES WHEN A LANDING GEAR SHOCK STRUT, P/N 51961, SEPARATED. THIS ALLOWED A FLOAT TO DIG INTO THE WATER & CAUSED THE ACFT TO FLIP INVERTED & SINK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53064](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53064-1994-06-24), registration cancelled 1994-06-24, S/N 18502352 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502352
- Airframe hours: 4588
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Southern Seaplane Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LA03, BELLE CHASE, LA
- Destination: GNI, GRAND ISLE, LA
- Airport: LA03, Belle Chase, runway 17, 6,500 ×  ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,126 total, 923 in this make and model, 1,733 as pilot in command, 214 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NBG, 2 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 19850131001579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850131001579A), Jan 31, 1985: Cessna A185F, Belle Chase, LA, Substantial damage. While taxiing to ramp area shock strut separated allowing float to dig in. Aircraft nosed over and sank.

## Other investigations on N53064 (2)

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.

- [NTSB CHI94FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94FA082), Feb 11, 1994: Cessna A185F (N53064), Sterling Hgts, MI, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO ALCOHOL, WHICH LED TO HIS INTENTIONAL BUZZING, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE (OR CLEARANCE) FROM OBSTACLES. FACTORS RELATED…
- [NTSB FTW81DRD49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DRD49), Sep 16, 1981: Cessna 185 (N53064), Grand Isle, LA, substantial damage

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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