# NTSB FTW90FA033: Cessna 182P, N7351N, Slidell, LA, November 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1989, 18:18 local (Nov 15, 1989, 00:18 UTC)
- Place: Slidell, LA
- Coordinates: 30.28092, -89.770454 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2809&lon=-89.7705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23003
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23003/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA033

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INITIATION OF THE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE OVER THE WATER. FACTORS WERE: DARKNESS AND THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT PREVAILED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A COMPLETE WEATHER BRIEFING ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE TAKING OFF AT NIGHT. HE ELECTED TO DEPART VFR WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN INTO AN AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE FLEW INTO A BAY OF THE GULF OF MEXICO ABOUT 29 MILES FROM THE POINT OF DEPARTURE. RECORDED RADAR DATA AND AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A DESCENDING RIGHT TURN WHEN IT IMPACTED IN THE BAY. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7351N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7351N-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 18263135, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18263135
- Airframe hours: 1815
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Wysocki
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1989
- Departed: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Destination: CAE, COLUMBIA, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,300 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEW, 29 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 19891114050349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891114050349A), Nov 14, 1989: Cessna 182P, Slidell, LA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Departed VFR into area of forecast sigments for thunderstorms at night. Level 5 thunderstorm in area of crash.

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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