Cessna 182Q accident near Hackberry, Louisiana, February 2, 2021
On February 2, 2021 at about 11:44 pm local time, a 1979 Cessna 182Q, registered N4765N, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering near Hackberry, Louisiana. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor did not maintain control of the airplane during training maneuvers, which resulted in a rapid, steep descent and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 2, 2021 · about 11:44 pm local time
- Place
- Hackberry, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182Q, built 1979 · all 182Qs on the register
- Registration
- N4765N · no longer on the register · serial 18267348
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot, who had recently purchased a share of the accident airplane, and a flight instructor were conducting a local flight to practice maneuvers. Just before the accident, the airplane reached about 4,500 ft above ground level and the airspeed steadily decreased. The airplane began a slow descent, which increased rapidly until the final recorded point. In the last 18 seconds of recorded data, the airplane made a right turn and descended about 11,250 ft per minute. Witnesses close to the accident site but at different locations, reported that they observed the airplane come straight down, nose first to the ground. One witness reported that no smoke was coming from the airplane, and he never saw the cockpit. Both witnesses reported the engine was loud. The airplane impacted soft, muddy terrain and the main wreckage, including the engine, propeller, fuselage, and empennage, was embedded about 15 ft deep. A debris field that consisted of the wings and smaller airplane components extended about 40 yards from the crater. A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any preimpact anomalies, although the examination was limited due to the extensive damage. Due to the propeller damage and the high-speed impact with terrain, it is likely that the engine was operating at a high-power setting during the accident sequence. Due to the limited medical evidence, whether a medical condition or effects from a substance contributed to this accident could not be determined.
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 control in flight during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent rate › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 80 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 10 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 15, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 4,354 hours in all
- Last flight review: April 2, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,114 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 5, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors (Texas Skyw IO-520-U/TS (piston); 2,510 hours total
- Operator: D & S Aviation INC
The flight
- Departed from: KUXL Sulphur LA at 11:13 pm
- Destination: KUXL Sulphur LA
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KLCH, 9 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KLCH 022353Z 20004KT 10SM CLR 13/02 A3019 RMK AO2 SLP230 T01330022 10167 20128 56004
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
15 documents, released by the NTSB on July 29, 2022. 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 | NTSB Investigation Summary | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Sheriff's Report with Witness Statements | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Air Traffic Control Summary | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Correspondence - Co-owners | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Correspondence - Insurance Representative | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Garmin GFC500 Autopilot Information | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 60 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Photos | PDF, 16 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Flight Path Depictions | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 11 | Private Pilot Logbook | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 12 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 13 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 14 | Toxicological Report - Private Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 15 | Memorandum for Record A�� Medical and Pathological Information | PDF, 2 pages | 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.