# NTSB FTW93LA162: Cessna A185F, N3588, Timbalier Isle, LA, May 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1993, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Timbalier Isle, LA
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18754/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA162

## Probable cause

PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION IN THE SELECTION OF HIS TAKEOFF ROUTE. A FACTOR WAS THE SAND BAR

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

DURING AN OPEN WATER DEPARTURE THE SEAPLANE WAS AT ROTATION SPEED WHEN IT STRUCK A SAND BAR. FOLLOWING THE SAND BAR STRIKE THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION. THE AIRPLANE HAD LANDED ONE HOUR EARLIER WHEN THE TIDE WAS IN AND WHEN THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED THE TIDE HAD GONE OUT

## Factual narrative

On May 22, 1993, at approximately 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N3588, was substantially damaged upon impact with a sand bar while attempting a water takeoff near Timbalier Isle, in the Gulf of Mexico. The commercial pilot and his 3 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 135 flight.

According to the operator, in a written statement, the airplane was on a return trip from an all day fishing trip to Timbalier Isle. The pilot attempted to takeoff in the same area where he made a successful water landing one hour prior to the accident. The operator added that the airplane was at rotation speed when both floats impacted a sand bar in the prevailing low tide conditions, resulting in the airplane nosing over and coming to rest inverted in the shallow water. The pilot further reported that if "he had left earlier or to have had better knowledge of the area," the accident would not have happened.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3588 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502259
- Airframe hours: 7227
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Southern Seaplane Inc.
- Registered owner: Southern Seaplane Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 3, 1993, 88 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: 65LA, BELLE CHASSE, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,150 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930522015069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930522015069A), May 22, 1993: Cessna A185F, Timbalier Isle, LA, Substantial damage. Struck sandbar in ankle deep water on water takeoff. Flipped over. Tide had gone out after landing same area.

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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