N5120Q

On May 24, 2005, at 1940 central daylight time, a single engine Cessna 210L airplane, N5120Q, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a reported loss of engine power near Harvey, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Southern Seaplane, Incorporated, of Belle Chasse, Louisiana. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from the Louis Armstrong/New Orleans International Airport (MSY), near New Orleans, Louisiana, about 1930, and was destined for the Belle Chasse Seaplane Airport (65LA), near Belle Chasse, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the repositioning flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The 520-hour pilot reported that he departed New Orleans for Belle Chasse (a 10-minute flight) and climbed to an altitude of 1,300 feet above ground level. As the pilot prepared to land, he reduced power to extend the landing gear, during which time, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and elected to make a forced landing to a drainage ditch. He elected to land gear up, and the airplane came to rest in about three feet of water.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane. According to the inspector, the left stabilizer was damaged and the elevator was separated from the airplane. The tips of the propeller blades were also damaged. Approximately 23.5 gallons of fuel were removed from each wing, and it was absent of debris or water. The Continental IO-520 engine was test-run on the airframe utilizing the airplane's fuel system. The engine started immediately and ran without interruption. No mechanical deficiencies were noted.

Weather at the time of the accident was reported as wind from 210 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 10 miles, and temperature 80 degrees Fahrenheit.