Cessna 182P accident near Kentwood, Louisiana, May 3, 2025
On May 3, 2025 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 1976 Cessna 182P, registered N9415M, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Kentwood, Louisiana (Cool Creek airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 3, 2025 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Kentwood, Louisiana · Cool Creek · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182P, built 1976 · all 182Ps on the register
- Registration
- N9415M · registry record · serial 18264745
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 3, 2025, about 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 182P, N9415M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Kentwood, Louisiana. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he intended to depart from a 2,600 ft private grass strip, which was surrounded by trees on both sides. Before takeoff he completed an engine runup with no issues noted and ensured the flight controls were free and correct. He extended the flaps to 20° and verified the pitch trim was in the takeoff position. During the initial climb and after the airplane was clear of the treetops, he turned left toward the destination airport when the airplane made an uncommanded and abrupt pitch up. He attempted to decrease the pitch attitude with the control yoke and adjust the pitch trim, but the airplane continued to pitch up. The stall warning horn sounded, and the airplane descended into tress and terrain. The passenger was able to release her seat belt and remove herself and the pilot from the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage and there was no postimpact fire. The last airframe annual inspection and engine 100-hour inspection were completed on July 14, 2024. There were no unresolved discrepancies noted in the logbook entries for these inspections. The airplane has been retained for further examination.
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 takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,652.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 14, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: 76LS Kentwood LA at 8:30 pm
- Destination: L39 Leesville LA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 76LS, 2,600 ft by 138 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft; a few clouds at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KMCB, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KMCB 032053Z AUTO 30005KT 10SM FEW041 BKN070 24/16 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP113 60000 T02390156 58012
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN25LA169.