# NTSB FTW85LA189: Cessna A185F, N93485, Slidell, LA, April 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1985, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Slidell, LA
- Location: 30.2889° N, 89.7829° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Slidell, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2889&lon=-89.7829&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): 21726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA189

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - unapproved (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A WATER LANDING, THE LEFT FLOAT DRAGGED, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO 'PULL IT OUT' & STARTED TO ADD POWER TO GO AROUND. HOWEVER, HE SAW POWER LINES AHEAD & REALIZED THAT A GO-AROUND WAS NOT POSSIBLE. HE SAID HE 'PLANTED IT BACK ON THE WATER' & THEN THE ACFT NOSED OVER. WITNESSES REPORTED THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE WATERWAY WHEN A BOAT APPROACHED FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE PLT ADDED POWER TO GO-AROUND AND VEERED THE ACFT TO THE RIGHT AT WHICH TIME THE RIGHT FLOAT CAUGHT AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT USED POOR JUDGEMENT IN ATTEMPTING A LANDING ON THE EDEN ISLE WATERWAY WHICH AN UNAPPROVED WATERWAY FOR SEAPLANE OPERATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N93485 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1823238
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: H.T. Bermingham
- Registered owner: Mc Dermott, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1985
- Departed: SLIDELL, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 14,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEW, 10 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 19850420013799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850420013799A), Apr 20, 1985: Cessna A185F, Slidell, LA, Substantial damage. Aircraft bounced during water touchdown. Aborted go around due to powerlines and flipped over.

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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