# NTSB FTW89LA072: Cessna A185F, N4836Q, Lake Arthur, LA, March 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1989, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake Arthur, LA
- Coordinates: 30.069261, -92.800163 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0693&lon=-92.8002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA072

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SEE AND AVOID TREE LIMBS THAT EXTENDED OVER THE EDGE OF THE CANAL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE TREE LIMBS AND DIRT BANK NEAR THE EDGE OF THE SELECTED LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LANDING IN A CANAL, THE RIGHT WING OF THE FLOATPLANE CONTACTED TREE LIMBS. THE AIRPLANE THEN PIVOTED TO THE RIGHT & STRUCK THE CANAL BANK. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD VISUALLY INSPECTED THE CANAL IN FLIGHT, BUT DID NOT SEE THE TREE LIMBS THAT WERE SUBSEQUENTLY HIT DURING THE LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4836Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4836Q), registered now, S/N 18503561, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- 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: 03561
- Airframe hours: 4421
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Hammond Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 22, 1989, 30 hours before
- Departed: HOUMA, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,757 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 130 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- 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 19890324018379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890324018379A), Mar 24, 1989: Cessna A185F, Lake Arthur, LA, Substantial damage. A wing hit trees overhanging canal bank after seaplane had landed. Rotated aircraft into canal bank.

## Other investigations on N4836Q (1)

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 LAX04LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA131), Feb 13, 2004: Cessna 185F (N4836Q), Mesa, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. A factor in this accident was the pilot's diverted…

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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