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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 14, 1996 · Cessna U206G · N734QW

Venice, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 14, 1996
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Venice, LA
Aircraft
Cessna U206G
Tail Number
N734QW
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW96LA171

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions. A factor was the fog.

Full 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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:10 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna U206G
Tail NumberN734QW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-550-F · Reciprocating · 280
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 fatality, 2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal1
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightNr
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data