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NTSB Report
January 18, 1991 · Cessna 180K · N63130
Patterson, LA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 18, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 2 uninjured
Location
Patterson, LA
Aircraft
Cessna 180K
Tail Number
N63130
Operator
Aquatic Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
DEN91LA036
THE PILOT TRIED THREE TIMES TO TAKE OFF AND ABORTED EACH ATTEMPT DUE TO ROUGH SEA. HE THEN NOTICED THE LEFT FLOAT WAS SINKING DUE TO SEVERAL MISSING BILGE PLUGS. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE, HE ATTEMPTED TO PUMP OUT THE FLOAT AND PLUG THE HOLES WITH WADDED PAPER. WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO LIST, HE TOLD HIS PASSENGERS TO DON LIFE VESTS. THE PASSENGERS EXITED THE AIRPLANE AND TRIED TO STOP WATER SEEPAGE INTO THE RIGHT FLOAT. WHEN THEY LOOKED AROUND FOR THE PILOT, HE HAD DISAPPEARED. HE WAS LAST SEEN HOLDING ONTO HIS LIFE VEST AND TREADING WATER. HE IS PRESUMED DROWNED. HIS INFLATED LIFE VEST WAS RECOVERED. THE PASSENGERS WERE RESCUED BY A PASSING SHIP.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY AN UNSAFE OR HAZARDOUS CONDITION. FACTORS WERE: ROUGH WATER AND HIGH WINDS.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT TRIED THREE TIMES TO TAKE OFF AND ABORTED EACH ATTEMPT DUE TO ROUGH SEA. HE THEN NOTICED THE LEFT FLOAT WAS SINKING DUE TO SEVERAL MISSING BILGE PLUGS. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE, HE ATTEMPTED TO PUMP OUT THE FLOAT AND PLUG THE HOLES WITH WADDED PAPER. WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO LIST, HE TOLD HIS PASSENGERS TO DON LIFE VESTS. THE PASSENGERS EXITED THE AIRPLANE AND TRIED TO STOP WATER SEEPAGE INTO THE RIGHT FLOAT. WHEN THEY LOOKED AROUND FOR THE PILOT, HE HAD DISAPPEARED. HE WAS LAST SEEN HOLDING ONTO HIS LIFE VEST AND TREADING WATER. HE IS PRESUMED DROWNED. HIS INFLATED LIFE VEST WAS RECOVERED. THE PASSENGERS WERE RESCUED BY A PASSING SHIP.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 180K
Tail NumberN63130
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorAquatic Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-U · Reciprocating · 230
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 2 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 13 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 2000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT