# NTSB CHI89DEM04: Cessna 175, N7404M, Lawton, MI, July 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1989, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Lawton, MI
- Coordinates: 42.159046, -85.840759 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1590&lon=-85.8408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEM04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEM04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING TAKEOFF AND HIS EXCESSIVE RATE OF DESCENT AT TOUCHDOWN. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,float assembly - separation

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT EXECUTED A WATER TAKEOFF AT MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. AFTER LIFTOFF, HE ASSESSED HIS CLIMB AS INADEQUATE TO CLEAR OBSTACLES ON THE LAKESHORE AND PUT DOWN. HE STATED THE LANDING WAS HARD ENOUGH TO DO DAMAGE. AFTER LANDING, HE ATTEMPTED A RIGHT TURN TO AVOID THE SHORELINE, THE RIGHT FLOAT SEPARATED AND THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE SURFACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7404M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7404M), registered now, S/N 55704, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55704
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David J. Barber
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: GRAVEL LAKE, MI
- Airport: Gravel Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 125 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19890715022499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890715022499A), Jul 15, 1989: Cessna 175, Lawton, MI, Substantial damage. Unable to clear trees on shore during water takeoff. Aborted, turned,wing hit water severed a float and waterlooped

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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