# NTSB CHI91LA293: Cessna 185, N1637Z, Duluth, MN, September 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1991, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Duluth, MN
- Coordinates: 46.740512, -92.050163 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7405&lon=-92.0502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA293
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15186/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA293

## Probable cause

PREMATURE TOUCHDOWN WHILE LANDING BY THE PIC/CFI.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE LOW CEILINGS, RAIN, AND HAZE; WEATHER EVALUATION MISJUDGED BY THE PIC/CFI; AND VISUAL OUTLOOK REDUCED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - touchdown - premature, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN DETERIORATING FLIGHT CONDITIONS, A PREMATURE HARD LANDING OCCURRED WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER OF THE FLOAT PLANE. THE AIRCRAFT SANK AND THE CFI AND DUAL STUDENT ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1637Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1850437
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Jeff A. Foster
- Departed: D36, DULUTH, MN
- Airport: Unk, runway 13, 10,000 × 200 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,400 total, 45 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Observed at: DLH, 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 19910908038699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910908038699A), Sep 8, 1991: Cessna 185A, Duluth, MN, Substantial damage. Worsening weather after water departure. Elected to return for glassy water landing. Did not flare. Nosed over.

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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