# NTSB FTW96LA171: Cessna U206G, N734QW, Venice, LA, April 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 1996, 14:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Venice, LA - Coordinates: 29.270963, -89.350158 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2710&lon=-89.3502&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19805 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19805/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA171 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions. A factor was the fog. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - terrain condition - water ## Analysis According to a statement given by one passenger to the local sheriff's investigator, the airplane was approximately '300 feet off the ground when whey encountered fog. The pilot made a right turn and began to descend. The airplane impacted the water, and the windshield popped out. The airplane bounced once and came to rest inverted.' The passenger also stated that when they had departed the airport, the weather had been 'crystal clear' and 'no one noticed the fog until they were already in it.' The airplane was not recovered. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 1996, at 1410 central standard time, a Cessna U206G, N734QW, registered to and operated by Signal Air Inc. under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was destroyed following impact with water near Venice, Louisiana. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries, two passengers were seriously injured, and one passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from Burrwood, Louisiana, approximately 5 minutes before the accident. According to a statement given by one passenger to the coroner office's chief investigator, the airplane was approximately "300 feet off the ground when whey encountered fog. The pilot made a right turn and began to descend. The airplane impacted the water, and the windshield popped out. The airplane bounced once and came to rest inverted." The passenger also stated that when they had departed the airport, the weather had been "crystal clear" and "no one noticed the fog until they were already in it." The airplane was not recovered. Toxicological tests and an autopsy were ordered and performed. The toxicological tests were negative, and the autopsy was performed by the Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office in Gretna, Lousiana. Attempts to obtain a Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) from the operator of the airplane were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N734QW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734QW-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N U20604862, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna U206G - Registry model: [Cessna U206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206g) (registry code 2073356) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20604862 - Airframe hours: 2185 - Engines: Continental IO-550-F 280 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Signal Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, BURRWOOD, LA - Destination: LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 875 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Not reported ## 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 19960414007329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960414007329A), Apr 14, 1996: Cessna U206G, Bhiloxi, MS, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Aircraft overdue, later located by th coast guard. (-23) on April 14, 1996, at 1315 CDT, a Cessna U206G aircraft, N734QW, registered to and operated by signal… 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.