# NTSB CHI02LA235: Cessna 185B, N11LP, Brainerd, MN, August 4, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 2002, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Brainerd, MN - Coordinates: 46.383335, -94.361946 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3833&lon=-94.3619&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis, FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55462 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55462/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA235 ## Probable cause The pilot's evasive maneuver to avoid obstacle clearance, resulting in a premature lift off with inadequate airspeed followed by a stall. The presence of the boat was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Abrupt maneuver, takeoff - object - vehicle (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - initiated, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The float equipped airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted the water just after liftoff from a lake. Witnesses in a boat reported that the airplane lifted off 30 feet behind a skier that was being pulled behind the boat. They reported that the airplane then climbed to 30 feet above the boat, banked sharply to the left, and crashed into the lake. Postaccident examinations of the airframe and engine revealed no preexisting defects. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions in his report of the accident. The pilot did not submit a narrative description of the accident events. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 2002, at 1400 central daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 185B, N11LP, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the water and nosed over during takeoff from Gull Lake, near Brainerd, Minnesota. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot received minor injuries and the two passengers were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with Minong, Wisconsin, as the intended destination. The pilot furnished no narrative description of the accident in the report submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board. The section of the report for describing mechanical malfunctions was checked "No." The initial reports indicated that the airplane engine lost power during takeoff from the lake and the pilot attempted to land back on the lake. During the attempted landing the left wingtip struck the water first. The airplane subsequently flipped over coming to rest upside down. A witness to the accident reported seeing and hearing the airplane during the accident sequence. The witness reported being in a boat that was pulling a water skier at the time of the accident. She said that the airplane lifted off of the water when it was about 30 feet behind the skier, climbed to 30 feet above the boat, turned sharply to the left and fell into the water. The witness stated that the airplane engine was running and was "really loud." She said that she saw no smoke or fire coming from the airplane prior to impact. A second witness who was also in the boat said the airplane came over the boat and then "it just came down." She said that she heard engine noises from the airplane until it hit the water. She said that there was no smoke coming from the airplane prior to impact. A postaccident examination of the airplane by Federal Aviation Administration officials revealled no pre-impact mechanical defects with respect to the airframe. The airplane's engine was retained and examined at the manufacturer's facility in Mobile, Alabama. The examination of the engine was performed under the direct supervision of a National Transportation Safety Board Investigator. No pre-impact defects that would have precluded engine operation were found during the examination of the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11LP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11LP-2003-10-14), registration cancelled 2003-10-14, S/N 185-0574, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185B - Registry model: [Cessna 185B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-185b) (registry code 2072806) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1850574 - Airframe hours: 5950 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D9B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Northern Air Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2002, 10 hours before - Departed: Brainerd, MI - Destination: Minong, WI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 21, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 730 total, 600 in this make and model, 720 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: BRD, 10 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 20020804020019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020804020019A), Aug 4, 2002: Cessna 185B, Brainerd, MN, No damage. (-23) Aircraft tookoff gull lake Brainerd, NM. Pilot reported approximately 100 feet up aircraft lost 50% power. Pilot made left turn to land back on lake… ## Other investigations on N11LP (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 NYC83LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA247), Sep 18, 1983: Cessna 185B (N11LP), Orange, MA, substantial damage 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.