# NTSB CHI03LA194: Cessna 172M, N172DE, Roscommon, MI, July 2, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 2003, 20:02 local (Jul 2, 2003, 00:02 UTC)
- Place: Roscommon, MI
- Coordinates: 44.485, -84.711944
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4850&lon=-84.7119&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA-Grand Rapids FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57392
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57392/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA194

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a water landing.  A factor contributing to the accident was the rough water.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

The airplane nosed over while landing on water.  The pilot reported the pontoon of the airplane hit a wave or a wake while landing.  The pilot noted the airplane bounced and came to rest inverted.

## Factual narrative

On July 1, 2003, at 2002 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N172DE, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over while landing on Higgins Lake, Roscommon, Michigan.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The pilot reported minor injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The flight originated from Higgins Lake at 1940 with an intended destination of Fife Lake, Michigan.

The pilot reported he performed a normal approach and touchdown to the lake.  The pilot noted the pontoon of the airplane hit a wave or a wake while landing.  The pilot stated the airplane bounced and came to rest inverted.

The pilot reported no mechanical functions or defects with the airplane during the accident flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N172DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N172DE-2007-08-06), registration cancelled 2007-08-06, S/N 17265200, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265200
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Lakewood LTD
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2003
- Departed: Roscommon, MI
- Destination: Fife Lake, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 1, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 466 total, 434 in this make and model, 397 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: HTL, 8 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 20030701015029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030701015029A), Jul 1, 2003: Cessna 172M, Higgins Lake, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) Float plan flipped over upon landing on Higgins Lake, MI.

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.

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