# NTSB FTW94LA109: Cessna 175, N6537E, Leesville, LA, March 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1994, 17:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Leesville, LA
- Coordinates: 31.129358, -93.269996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1294&lon=-93.2700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19019/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA109

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER IN CRUISE. FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A ROAD, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DO SO.  THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO LAND ON AN OPEN FIELD; HOWEVER, IT SLOPED LEFT TO RIGHT APPROXIMATELY 15 DEGREES.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE LEFT WING DRUG ALONG THE GROUND, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO TURN LEFT 10 DEGREES. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A BASEBALL BATTING CAGE WHERE IT STOPPED AGAINST THE BACKSTOP.

## Factual narrative

On March 20, 1994, at 1740 central standard time, a Cessna 175, N6537E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Leesville, Louisiana.  The private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local area flight.

In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot stated that during cruise flight the engine stopped abruptly.  He further stated that he attempted a forced landing to a highway, but could not make it.  He landed in a field that sloped left to right approximately 15 degrees and during the landing roll the left wing drug along the ground and the aircraft turned left approximately 10 degrees.  As the aircraft proceeded across the terrain it entered a baseball batting cage and was arrested by the mesh fence of the backstop.

An inspection of the aircraft revealed damage to the nose section and both wing spars.  No anomalies could be found that contributed to the loss of engine power.

Numerous attempts to obtain a Pilot/Operator Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were unsuccessful.

The aircraft was released to the owner.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6537E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6537E), registered now, S/N 56037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56037
- Airframe hours: 1476
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300-A 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Plush, Robby D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1994, 31 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 308 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: POE, 32 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 19940320005989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940320005989A), Mar 20, 1994: Cessna 175, Leesville, LA, Substantial damage. Lost power at cruise. Tried for road. Unable. Landed cross slope in ball park. Wing hit. Swerved into backstop.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.