# NTSB GAA19CA321: Cessna 180, N7529K, Moses Lake, WA, June 8, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 8, 2019, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Moses Lake, WA - Coordinates: 47.13972, -119.339164 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1397&lon=-119.3392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99576 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA321 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99576/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99576 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA321 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare and his delayed decision to go-around, which resulted in impact with rocks on a shoreline. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing on a lake, he was concerned he would not have enough landing distance, and he chose to conduct a go-around, during which the airplane's floats impacted the rocks on the shoreline, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot added that, "I should not have added power" during the flare. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on a lake, he was concerned he would not have enough landing distance and he chose to conduct a go-around. The airplane floats impacted the rocks on the shoreline and the airplane nosed over. The pilot further reported that, "I should not have added power to my flair." The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located 4 mile north-east of the accident reported that, about 12 minutes after the accident, the wind was variable at 5 knots and visibility 10 statute miles. The airplane was landing to the east. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7529K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7529K), registered now, S/N 18052663, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 (J) - Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052663 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 4754.3 - Engines: Continental O-470 SERIES 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 2019 - Departed: W36, Renton, WA - Destination: Moses Lake, WA - Flight plan: IFR - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,513.4 total, 29 in this make and model, 1,373.3 as pilot in command, 25.1 in the last 90 days, 5.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KMWH, 4 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 20190608006169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190608006169A), Jun 8, 2019: Cessna 180J, Moses Lake, WA, Substantial damage. While attempting a water landing on Moses Lake, Moses Lake, Washington north of interstate I-90. Pilot approached the lake from the west on the base leg for a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99576. 8.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 8.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475531&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475532&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%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.