# NTSB FTW96LA103: Cessna A185F, N6034N, Belle Chase, LA, January 22, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1996, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Belle Chase, LA
- Coordinates: 29.840625, -90.00064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8406&lon=-90.0006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19749/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA103

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent encounter with a ditch.  The crosswind was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

The pilot initiated a takeoff on runway 21 with winds from 100 degrees at 10 knots. During the takeoff roll, he lost directional control of the tailwheel equipped airplane. Subsequently, it came to rest in a drainage canal adjacent to the runway.

## Factual narrative

On January 22, 1996, at 1215 central standard time, a Cessna A185F, N6034N, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff near Belle Chase, Louisiana.  The airline transport rated pilot and the 2 passengers were not injured.  The airplane was being operated by Southern Seaplane Inc., of Belle Chase, Louisiana, as a Title 14 CFR Part 135 flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the air taxi flight to Lafayette, Louisiana.  A company VFR flight plan was filed, and a weather briefing received for the flight.

According to the pilot and the operator, the airplane was departing from the operator's airstrip (65LA) on runway 20 with winds from 100 degrees at 10 knots.  In the enclosed NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, the operator stated that "directional control was lost during the takeoff roll and the airplane came to rest in a drainage canal adjacent to the runway."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6034N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6034N), registered now, S/N 18504293 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna A185F
- 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: 18504293
- Airframe hours: 8461
- Engines: Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Lyle Panepinto
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 27, 1995, 14 hours before
- Departed: 65LA
- Destination: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 65LA, Southern Seaplane, runway 21, 3,200 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 700 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NBG, 10 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 19960122000849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960122000849A), Jan 22, 1996: Cessna A185F, Bell Chase, LA, Substantial damage. Aircraft departing runway, ran off runway into a canal.

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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