# NTSB CHI05CA195: Cessna 180, N4652B, Bowstring, MN, July 17, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 17, 2005, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Bowstring, MN - Coordinates: 47.549999, -93.867225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5500&lon=-93.8672&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62174 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62174/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA195 ## Probable cause The unsuitable water conditions for takeoff selected by the pilot and his inability to maintain aircraft control in the rough water. Contributing factors were the aborted takeoff initiated by the pilot, the rough water conditions and the high, gusty winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, standing - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The fixed-float equipped airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during an aborted takeoff in rough water. The pilot reported that by the time he arrived the lake was "rough" and the tie downs were not holding. He stated that during the takeoff run he decided that it was "too rough to continue." He reported that he "let up" on the throttle and was slowing down, when the left float "caught a wave" and the airplane nosed over. Wind conditions recorded by the Bigfork Municipal Airport (FOZ) Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), located 18 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, at 1335, were from 170 degrees at 19 knots, gusting to 27 knots. The pilot reported winds from 140 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2005, about 1345 central daylight time, a fixed-float equipped Cessna 180, N4652B, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff when it encountered rough water and nosed over on Bowstring Lake, Minnesota. The local flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported no injuries. The pilot reported that high winds were forecast and he planned to relocate his float plane to Turtle Lake for security. He stated that by the time he arrived Bowstring Lake was "rough" and the tie downs were not holding. The pilot stated that during the takeoff run he decided that it was "too rough to continue." He reported that he "let up" on the throttle and was slowing down when the left float "caught a wave" and the airplane nosed over. Wind conditions recorded by the Bigfork Municipal Airport (FOZ) Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), located 18 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, at 1335, were from 170 degrees at 19 knots, gusting to 27 knots. The pilot reported winds from 140 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4652B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4652B-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 31550, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31550 - Airframe hours: 4317.5 - Engines: Continental O-470-R46B 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2004, 164 hours before - Departed: Bowstring, MN - Destination: Little Turttle, MN - Airport: PVT, Bowstring Lake, runway 14, water ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 429 total, 310 in this make and model, 363 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 19 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: FOZ, 17 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 20050717015459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050717015459A), Jul 17, 2005: Cessna 180, Deep River, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot attempted to move aircraft to smaller lake to prevent aircraft and floats from being damaged by waves starting to pound dock. During takeoff at… 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.