6) MISHANDLED ABN., C-FIT

Cessna 185-F | N61323

August 24th, 2024 | Kent, Washington

Accident Location

  • City: Kent
  • State: Washington
  • Latitude: 47.364393
  • Longitude: -122.15364
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N61323
  • Make: Cessna
  • Model: 185-F
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Sea
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Williams, Alan
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 74
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School:
  • Instructional Flight:
  • Pilot Certification: Airline Transport Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 2nd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: August 24th, 2024
  • Time: 10:10 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Approach
  • Total People Onboard: 1
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 0
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: WPR24FA285
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 6) MISHANDLED ABN., C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot failed to ensure that the landing gear was fully retracted for the intended water landing. It is surmised that the pilot likely became distracted by an unrelated abnormal that interrupted his normal water landing checklist, therefore never realizing that the landing gear was down, or possibly becoming confused and placing the gear down before landing. According to multiple witnesses, the amphibious float equipped airplane was seen approaching the lake from the northwest to land on the lake on a southeasterly heading. They reported that the approach appeared normal, however, the landing gear could be seen in the extended position. As the floats were about to touch down on the surface of the water, the airplane abruptly nosed over, and came to rest inverted, partially submerged within the lake. The pilot was both injured and trapped below water level and drowned before he could be rescued.

NTSB: 

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft should review and take proper care to ensure landing gear is in the proper configuration for all landings both on water and on land.

NTSB:

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.