Takeoff & Initial Climb · NTSB CEN15FAMS1

CESSNA 172K — Lake Pontchartrain, LA

2 fatal Night
DateNovember 13, 2014
LocationLake Pontchartrain, LA
AircraftCESSNA 172K
Purpose of flightInstructional
ConditionsNight/Dark · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrenceInitial climb Unknown or undetermined
Pilot age46
Pilot total timeUnknown
Time in typeUnknown
Fatalities2

Probable cause

The airplane's collision with water for reasons that could not be determined because the wreckage was not located.

NTSB findings

  • Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C

What happened

The flight instructor and commercial pilot departed their home airport for a local, night instructional flight. Shortly after departure, the pilot contacted an air traffic controller and stated that he needed to return to the airport; he did not specify why. The pilot made no further communications. A search was initiated, and, several days after the accident, the two pilots' bodies were located in a lake; the airplane was not located. The reason for the airplane's collision with the water could not be determined.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.

View the official NTSB docket →