Cessna 182C accident near Crowley, Louisiana, December 18, 2010
On December 18, 2010 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Cessna 182C, registered N8556T, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Crowley, Louisiana (Le Gros Memorial Airport). It was a skydiving flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to the magneto failure for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 18, 2010 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Crowley, Louisiana · Le Gros Memorial Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182C · all 182Cs on the register
- Registration
- N8556T · no longer on the register · serial 52456
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Skydiving flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight departed to the east with four skydivers for a local jump. One witness stated that, immediately following the takeoff, about 200 feet above ground level, a "percussive" pop from the engine was heard. Two witnesses stated that the right wing dropped, and the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane was quickly engulfed in a postimpact fire. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed a piece of engine isolator gasket had become wrapped around the carburetor main fuel jet and both magnetos distribution gear had cracked and were missing teeth. The damaged distribution gear teeth were consistent with damage found after an engine experiences a backfire. It could not be determined which magneto failed first or if they both failed simultaneously. The cause of the backfire could not be determined. Further examination of the engine, airframe, and remaining systems revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during takeoff defining event
- Loss of control in flight during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Ignition system › Magneto/distributor › Failure
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,736.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 4, 2010
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-470-L (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: K3R2 Crowley LA at 8:30 pm
- Destination: K3R2 Crowley LA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04, 4,307 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KLFT, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.