# NTSB GAA15CA222: Cessna A185F, N23DE, Emily, MN, August 10, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2015, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Emily, MN - Coordinates: 46.739166, -93.918052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7392&lon=-93.9181&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Minneapolis FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91765 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA222 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91765/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91765 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA222 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear, which resulted in a gear down water landing and a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 75 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amphibious float-equipped airplane reported that during the initial climb from an airport runway, he was distracted by other airport traffic and forgot to retract the landing gear. As he approached his destination, which was a lake, he stated he did not perform the before landing checklist as he usually does, and failed to notice that the landing gear was still down. The pilot reported that his touchdown was smooth, but the airplane immediately nosed over and he felt "a fire hose of water" come through the windscreen. After the airplane came to rest, the pilot reported that he was submerged underwater, but was able to remain calm and slip out the pilot side window. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amphibious float-equipped airplane reported that during the initial climb from an airport runway, he was distracted by other airport traffic and forgot to retract the landing gear. As he approached his destination, which was a lake, he stated he did not perform the before landing checklist as he usually does, and failed to notice that the landing gear was still down. The pilot reported that his touchdown was smooth, but the airplane immediately nosed over and he felt "a fire hose of water" come through the windscreen. After the airplane came to rest, the pilot reported that he was submerged underwater, but was able to remain calm and slip out the pilot side window. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23DE-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 18503969, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F (F) - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18503969 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 2737.7 - Engines: Continental IO-550 D16B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 2015 - Departed: CFE, BUFFALO, MN - Destination: None, Emily, MN - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 30, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,465 total, 667 in this make and model, 1,465 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 9 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KPWC, 13 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 20150810012539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150810012539A), Aug 10, 2015: Cessna A185F, Emily, MN, Substantial damage. Aircraft equipped with amphibious floats was on a VFR flight from buffalo, MN (cfe) to lake mary near Emily, MN. Pilot reported that he failed to raise the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 24, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91765. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432177&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432176&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Docket Photo (item 3, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432178&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Docket%20Photo-Master.PDF 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.