Cessna L19 accident near Milton, Louisiana, March 21, 2019
On March 21, 2019 at about 4:50 pm local time, a 1957 Cessna L19, registered N13FM, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Milton, Louisiana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 21, 2019 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Milton, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna L19 E, built 1957 · all L19s on the register
- Registration
- N13FM · registry record · serial 24590
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While in cruise flight, the airplane’s engine began to run rough before the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing during which the airplane impacted trees, resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar. Fuel was found onboard the airplane, and examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he did not apply carburetor heat following the loss of engine power. The atmospheric conditions present at the time of the accident were conducive to the development of serious icing at glide power; however, the engine was being operated at a cruise power setting when the loss of power occurred. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
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 (partial) during maneuvering defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 5,393 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: October 1, 2017
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-15 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: New Iberia LA
- Destination: Basile LA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from KLFT, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on September 23, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Form 6120 Not Received | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Carb Icing Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Case Notes | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.