Cessna R182 accident near Marksville, Louisiana, September 17, 2020
On September 17, 2020 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 1983 Cessna R182, registered N6208T, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Marksville, Louisiana (Marksville Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, during which he failed to ensure the landing gear handle in the “down” position which resulted in the landing gear retracting during takeoff, a loss of directional control, and a runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 17, 2020 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Marksville, Louisiana · Marksville Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna R182 No Series, built 1983 · all R182s on the register
- Registration
- N6208T · no longer on the register · serial R18201936
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane, and that during the takeoff roll, he pulled the yoke back to stop the nosewheel from shimmying, added power, checked the engine performance, and then added more power. The airplane’s nose dropped slightly, and he added more power. Subsequently, the nose dropped further and contacted the ground. The pilot reduced engine power, and the airplane then skidded down the runway and exited onto grass, which resulted in the right forward fuselage, right outboard wing, and right horizontal stabilizer and elevator sustaining substantial damage. One of the first steps of the Preflight Checklist is “Landing Gear Lever – Gear Down.” The pilot reported that he liked “to touch each item” as he called it out but that he “did not do that on this phase of flight.” According to the mechanic who recovered the airplane, he found the landing gear “handle” in the “up” position and the nose landing gear and right main landing gear retracted. The mechanic was able to extend the gear using the emergency hand pump. He then turned on the master switch and saw a green gear position light, indicating that all three landing gear were down and locked. The mechanic added that he did not see anything that would have caused the gear to collapse.
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
- Landing gear not configured during takeoff defining event
- Landing gear collapse during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear selector › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven terrain › Effect on equipment
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 467 hours in all; 56 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 467 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 28, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,586 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 10, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-J3C5D (piston); 1,419 hours total
The flight
- Destination: LFT Lafayette LA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04, 3,799 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from KESF, 21 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on February 2, 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Miscellaneous Information - Preflight Checklist Excerpt | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Memorandum for Record - Communication Summary - L Lucius Recovery A&p | 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.