# NTSB CHI83FA180: Cessna 185F, N29968, Pillager, MN, April 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1983, 08:15 local (13:15 UTC)
- Place: Pillager, MN
- Coordinates: 46.320709, -94.469642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3207&lon=-94.4696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11990/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA180

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AFTER DRAGGING THE RIGHT WING IN THE WATER 3 TIMES. THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW OF WITNESSES AROUND A POINT OF LAND IN THE LAKE. THE ACFT WAS HEARD PRODUCING POWER UP TO A 'FEW SECOND' BEFORE A 'THUD' WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY BLACK SMOKE RISING FROM THE SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N29968 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18504287
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Photo Lab
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1982

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19830424015079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830424015079A), Apr 24, 1983: Cessna 185F, Pillager, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed after takeoff. Witnesses saw right wing contact water three times.

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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