What happened
On September 24, 2009, a Cessna 182Q, registration N96894, crashed into trees and terrain approximately one mile south of Runway 1FR at Houma-Terrebonne Airport (HUM) in Houma, Louisiana. The flight was being conducted by a commercial pilot acting as a fish spotting pilot.
Prior to departure, the pilot requested a special visual flight rules (SVFR) clearance to check weather conditions south of the field. The local controller informed the pilot that the weather consisted of a 300-foot overcast ceiling and seven miles of visibility. The pilot was cleared for takeoff and indicated an intention to fly southwest. The pilot's final radio transmission occurred at 0605:15. The wreckage was discovered later that day by another pilot flying in the area. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage indicated the aircraft impacted the terrain in a 30-degree nose-low attitude with a 35-degree left bank. Investigators found that all control surfaces remained intact and flight control continuity was verified from the cockpit to the ailerons, elevator, and rudder.
The engine, a Teledyne Continental Motors O-470-U, showed no evidence of catastrophic failure; compression was verified at each cylinder and the magnetos produced spark. The propeller blades were found bent rearward at angles between 45 and 60 degrees. No evidence of an airplane malfunction was found, and the impact scars were indicative of a loss of control prior to impact.
Findings
- The pilot was not instrument rated and the aircraft was not equipped for instrument meteorological conditions.
- Weather conditions at the time of departure included a 300-foot ceiling and fog, which were conducive to spatial disorientation.
- The pilot's decision to take off into instrument meteorological conditions was a primary factor.