Cessna 180K accident near Curlew Island, Louisiana, July 22, 1992
On July 22, 1992, a Cessna 180K, registered N66618, was substantially damaged in an accident near Curlew Island, Louisiana. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 1992
- Place
- Curlew Island, Louisiana
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180K · all 180Ks on the register
- Registration
- N66618 · registry record · serial 18052950
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING HIS AIRPLANE IN RIGHT TURNS FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES WHILE HIS PASSENGER PHOTOGRAPHED AN OIL DRILLING PLATFORM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. THE PILOT BECAME NAUSEOUS AND ELECTED TO LAND HIS AIRPLANE ON A NEARBY ISLAND. THE LANDING WAS MADE TO THE SAND ALONG THE SHORELINE. THE PILOT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE DRY SECTION AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE AIRPLANE.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 696 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 58 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 672 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,000 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 3, 1992; 80 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-U (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 5R9 Homeplate LA at 11:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 1,500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.