PORT SULPHUR, LA, USA
N2878R
CESSNA 182
WHILE CIRCLING OVERHEAD THE 1,500 FOOT PRIVATE GRASS AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT OBSERVED 'STANDING WATER' AND POWER LINES AT THE EAST END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND FROM THE WEST TO AVOID THE WATER AND THE POWER LINES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT, DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT, 'NORMAL BRAKING WAS NOT EFFECTIVE IN SLOWING THE AIRCRAFT DOWN.' IN ORDER TO AVOID CONTACTING AN EMBANKMENT AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT 'ATTEMPTED TO GROUND LOOP THE AIRCRAFT.' SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING AND PROPELLER STRUCK THE GROUND.
On July 11, 1995, approximately 1630 central daylight time, a Cessna 182, N2878R, was substantially damaged during landing near Port Sulphur, Louisiana. The airplane, owned and operated by Isra B. Thames III, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The business flight departed from Lakefront Airport, New Orleans, Louisiana, at 1530, and was intended to pick up a passenger at Port Sulphur. A flight plan was not filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that, while he was circling overhead the 1,500 foot grass airstrip, he observed "standing water" and power lines at the east end of the runway. The pilot elected to land from the west to avoid the water and power lines. He further reported that, during the landing roll out, "normal braking was not effective in slowing the aircraft down." In order to avoid contacting an embankment at the end of the runway, the pilot "attempted to ground-loop the aircraft." Subsequently, the left wing and propeller struck the ground. Examination of the aircraft revealed structural damage to the left wing.
THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF HIS SHORT FIELD LANDING RESULTING IN AN INTENTIONAL GROUND LOOP TO AVOID AN OVERRUN. FACTORS WERE THE REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS ON THE WET GRASS RUNWAY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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