# NTSB FTW95LA015: Cessna 185, N95DM, Abbeville, LA, October 6, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1994, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Abbeville, LA
- Coordinates: 29.96957, -92.120964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9696&lon=-92.1210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19283
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19283/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA015

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

DURING A TAKEOFF FROM A RIVER THE PILOT WAS REQUIRED TO MANEUVER AROUND A BEND IN THE RIVER. AS HE NEGOTIATED THE BEND, THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED AN AREA CLEAR OF ALL TREES AND OTHER VEGETATION. AT THAT POINT A GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE AIRCRAFT AND IT DRIFTED LEFT, STRIKING THE BANK.

## Factual narrative

On October 6, 1994, at approximately 1000 central daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 185, N95DM, was substantially damaged during take off near Abbeville, Louisiana.  There were no injuries to the commercial pilot or his two passengers during the 14 CFR 91 business flight.

During an interview, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that during the takeoff from a canal he was required to maneuver around a bend.  During the turn, his aircraft drifted left and struck the bank with the floats and "the aircraft flipped over," resulting in damage to the wings and fuselage.  The pilot further stated that as he was taxiing around the bend, "on the step," he approached an area of the bank that had been cleared of all trees and vegetation.  As he came abeam of the cleared area a "gust of wind caught me and caused the airplane to shift radically left."  He further stated that he "was unable to reduce power quick enough before going into the bank."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N95DM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N95DM), registered now, S/N 18504319 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- 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: 18504319
- Airframe hours: 4056
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mi Drilling Fluids Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1993, 439 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,931 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LCH, 52 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 19941006033719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941006033719A), Oct 6, 1994: Cessna A185F, Abbeville, LA, Substantial damage. On takeoff from river went around bend wind gust hit in open area. Blew plane into river bank. Failed compensate.

## Other investigations on N95DM (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 FTW81DRD43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DRD43), Sep 5, 1981: Cessna A185F (N95DM), Morgan City, LA, substantial damage

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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