History of Flight
On October 16, 2020, at about 1113 central daylight time, a Cessna T182T airplane, registration N707DA, was substantially damaged when it struck terrain near Houma, Louisiana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
According to air traffic control data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot contacted ground control at Houma-Terrebonne Airport (HUM) with ATIS information “T” and received taxi instructions to runway 36. The airplane departed from runway 36 around 1109, destined for Brenham Municipal Airport (11R) in Brenham, Texas.
Automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) data showed that after departure, the airplane flew a northwest heading and climbed through 1,500 feet mean sea level (msl). It then turned left to a southeast heading, continued climbing through 1,700 feet, and began descending. The last ADS-B position was recorded about 1.86 miles from the accident site at an altitude of about 825 feet msl.
Personnel Information
The pilot’s family could not locate his logbook during the investigation.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site was located in marshy terrain about 7 miles southwest of HUM. The first ground signatures were consistent with the main landing gear. The ground scar extended about 40 yards from the initial impact point through a line of trees. The main wreckage, including the empennage, fuselage, and both wings, came to rest on the opposite side of the trees.
During the impact sequence, both wings and the engine separated. The forward fuselage, encompassing the cabin and instrument panel, exhibited aft crush damage and was fragmented.
The airplane was recovered and transported to a secure location for examination. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to each control surface, accounting for impact and recovery separations. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no pre-impact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
The Terrebonne Parish Coroner’s Office in Houma, Louisiana, conducted an autopsy on the pilot. The cause of death was listed as traumatic injuries, and the manner of death was ruled an accident.
Toxicology tests on specimens from the pilot were negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and glucose. Among the substances tested, metoprolol was detected. Metoprolol (Lopressor), a beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure, is acceptable for FAA medical certification.