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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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April 20, 1985 · Cessna A185F · N93485

Slidell, LA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 20, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Slidell, LA
Aircraft
Cessna A185F
Tail Number
N93485
Operator
H T Bermingham
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW85LA189

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A WATER LANDING, THE LEFT FLOAT DRAGGED, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO 'PULL IT OUT' & STARTED TO ADD POWER TO GO AROUND. HOWEVER, HE SAW POWER LINES AHEAD & REALIZED THAT A GO-AROUND WAS NOT POSSIBLE. HE SAID HE 'PLANTED IT BACK ON THE WATER' & THEN THE ACFT NOSED OVER. WITNESSES REPORTED THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE WATERWAY WHEN A BOAT APPROACHED FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE PLT ADDED POWER TO GO-AROUND AND VEERED THE ACFT TO THE RIGHT AT WHICH TIME THE RIGHT FLOAT CAUGHT AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT USED POOR JUDGEMENT IN ATTEMPTING A LANDING ON THE EDEN ISLE WATERWAY WHICH AN UNAPPROVED WATERWAY FOR SEAPLANE OPERATIONS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A WATER LANDING, THE LEFT FLOAT DRAGGED, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO 'PULL IT OUT' & STARTED TO ADD POWER TO GO AROUND. HOWEVER, HE SAW POWER LINES AHEAD & REALIZED THAT A GO-AROUND WAS NOT POSSIBLE. HE SAID HE 'PLANTED IT BACK ON THE WATER' & THEN THE ACFT NOSED OVER. WITNESSES REPORTED THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON THE WATERWAY WHEN A BOAT APPROACHED FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE PLT ADDED POWER TO GO-AROUND AND VEERED THE ACFT TO THE RIGHT AT WHICH TIME THE RIGHT FLOAT CAUGHT AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT USED POOR JUDGEMENT IN ATTEMPTING A LANDING ON THE EDEN ISLE WATERWAY WHICH AN UNAPPROVED WATERWAY FOR SEAPLANE OPERATIONS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length1000 ft
Runway Width140 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna A185F
Tail NumberN93485
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorH T Bermingham
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-D · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 14 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data