# Accident 19980718024499A: Cessna A185F, Moneta, VA, July 18, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 18, 1998, 15:40 local time
- Place: Moneta, VA
- Airport: Smith Mountain Lake Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.1794° N, 79.6304° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1794&lon=-79.6304&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1481F, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1481F-2012-08-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna A185F (registry code 2072821, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Reported engine: CONT IO520D
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,500 total, 600 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC98LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA151) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980718024499A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.4) THE AMPHIBIAN AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF THE LAKE AFTER A NORMAL TAKEOFF RUN. DURING A TURN TO AVOID TERRAIN, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED AND IT'S RIGHT FLOAT CONTACTED THE WATER. THE AIRPLANE THEN CARTWHEELED, FLIPPED OVER, AND SANK. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE. (-23) PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID TERRAIN AND TREES AT END OF TAKE OFF AREA.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC98LA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA151), Jul 18, 1998: Cessna A185F (N1481F), Moneta, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with water.

## Other reports on N1481F (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19980616020369I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980616020369I), Jun 16, 1998: Cessna A185F (N1481F), Raleigh-Durham, NC, Minor damage. Unsafe gear light. Tower report gear appeared extended. Left gear collapsed. Amphib floats used in saltwater envir.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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