# NTSB CEN11CA518: Cessna 180D, N6425X, Oscoda, MI, July 24, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2011, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Oscoda, MI - Coordinates: 44.451389, -83.394165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4514&lon=-83.3942&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 81250 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA518 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81250/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81250 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA518 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear before a water landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use a checklist. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072610), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2072610), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2072610), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072610), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he landed the float-equipped airplane and it nosed over. He said that he had taken off from a paved runway earlier and forgot to retract the wheels for the water landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane and the accident could have been prevented if he had used the checklist. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was intending to practice water landings in the amphibian float-equipped airplane; however, he neglected to raise the wheels after the initial takeoff from a paved runway. During approach for the first water landing at a large nearby pond, he did not notice that the wheels were still extended. The airplane subsequently nosed over when he attempted the water landing. He was not injured exiting the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings during the accident sequence. He reported no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. He added that he needs to be more dedicated to checklists in the future. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6425X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6425X), registered now, S/N 18050925, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180D - Registry model: [Cessna 180D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180d) (registry code 2072610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18050925 - Airframe hours: 4510 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 2010 - Departed: OSC, Oscoda, MI - Destination: OSC, Oscoda, MI - Airport: OSC, Oscoda-Wurtsmith, runway 02, water ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 14, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 435 total, 69 in this make and model, 339 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OSC, 5 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110724014289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110724014289A), Jul 24, 2011: Cessna 180D, Oscoda, MI, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] ## Other investigations on N6425X (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 DEN00LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA004), Oct 14, 1999: Cessna 180D (N6425X), Denver, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The excessive taxi speed used by the pilot exiting the runway via a high-speed taxiway resulting in a loss of control. A factor was the crosswind. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81250. 224 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 224 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352774&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.