- Date
- July 11, 1995, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place
- Port Sulphur, LA
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N2878RCessna 182
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report December 19, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950711048539A
- Case key
- 19491
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's misjudgement of his short field landing resulting in an intentional ground loop to avoid an overrun. Factors were the reduced braking effectiveness on the wet grass runway.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
While circling overhead the 1,500 foot private grass airstrip, the pilot observed 'standing water' and power lines at the east end of the runway. The pilot elected to land from the west to avoid the water and the power lines. The pilot reported that, during the landing roll out, 'normal braking was not effective in slowing the aircraft down.' In order to avoid contacting an embankment at the end of the runway, the pilot 'attempted to ground loop the aircraft.' Subsequently, the left wing and propeller struck the ground.
Factual narrative
On July 11, 1995, approximately 1630 central daylight time, a Cessna 182, N2878R, was substantially damaged during landing near Port Sulphur, Louisiana. The airplane, owned and operated by Isra B. Thames III, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The business flight departed from Lakefront Airport, New Orleans, Louisiana, at 1530, and was intended to pick up a passenger at Port Sulphur. A flight plan was not filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
The pilot reported that, while he was circling overhead the 1,500 foot grass airstrip, he observed "standing water" and power lines at the east end of the runway. The pilot elected to land from the west to avoid the water and power lines. He further reported that, during the landing roll out, "normal braking was not effective in slowing the aircraft down." In order to avoid contacting an embankment at the end of the runway, the pilot "attempted to ground-loop the aircraft." Subsequently, the left wing and propeller struck the ground. Examination of the aircraft revealed structural damage to the left wing.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2878R
- Reported as
- Cessna 182
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18258478
- Airframe hours
- 3,011
- Engine
- Continental O-470R, 230 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Isra B. Thames III
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · February 17, 1995 · 20 hours before
- Departed
- NEW · New Orleans, LA
- Airport
- NONE · Birdwind Field (Private), runway 9, 1,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 30
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,280 total · 29 in this make and model · 1,220 as pilot in command · 70 in the last 90 days · 36 in the last 30 days · 5 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.