# NTSB LAX08LA201: Cessna A185F, N5403E, Rainier, OR, June 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 2008, 17:30 local (Jun 28, 2008, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Rainier, OR - Coordinates: 46.064445, -122.966941 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0644&lon=-122.9669&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68334 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68334/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA201 ## Probable cause The inadvertent extension of the left float's landing gear to near the down position due to a failure of the gear's rear hydraulic seal. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: landing gear actuator](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/cases.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023233/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: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A185F, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072821), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); 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: 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 amphibian airplane nosed over on touchdown in a river. Postaccident investigation determined that the landing gear was extended, but the cockpit gear selector was in the retracted position. Examination revealed hydraulic fluid within the number seven and eight bulkheads of the left float. Applying compressed air to one of the hydraulic lines resulted in hydraulic fluid leaking from the tension actuator. During examination of the actuator, extensive leaking of hydraulic fluid around the rear seal occurred after application of hydraulic pressure to the aft hydraulic port. There was corrosion around and on the aft securing pin. The hydraulic leak would allow the landing gear to extend from the float. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 2008, about 1730 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna A185F, N5403E, nosed over on landing touchdown in the Columbia River near Kelso-Longview Airport, Rainier, Oregon. Armstrong Marine, Inc., was operating the amphibious airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The pilot held a private pilot certificate, and received a minor injury. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. The personal flight departed Blue Ribbon Airport, Sequim, Washington, about 1620. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was not familiar with the river in which he intended to land. After flying over the landing spot, he made a normal approach and performed a pre-landing check of fuel, propeller, mixture, and landing gear selector. He landed at 60 knots, and the airplane immediately became inverted. He exited the airplane through a window. Post accident investigation determined that the landing gear was extended, but the gear selector was in the retracted position. The pilot believes that a hydraulic leak in the left float prevented the landing gear from retracting. A National Transportation Safety Board investigator examined the airplane on July 17, 2008, at the pilot's hangar in Sequim. He noted no anomalies with the right float. The investigator observed hydraulic fluid within the number seven and eight bulkheads of the left float. Both hydraulic lines for extending from the left float to the fuselage were removed at the fuselage attach point. Compressed air was applied to one of the lines and hydraulic fluid was observed leaking from the tension actuator. The tension actuator was secure to both the forward and aft mounts. The actuator was removed from the left float. During removal, the gasket surrounding the actuator was cut to facilitate removal. The internal structure of the bulkhead where the gasket was located exhibited a slight tear/crack that originated from the gasket mount. The hydraulic accumulator remained attached to the engine firewall and was undamaged. The hydraulic fluid quantity sight gauge showed no sustainable level of fluid. On September 22, 2008, at the facilities of Kenmore Air, Kenmore, Washington, the Safety Board investigator supervised examination of the left float tension actuator. Both the forward and aft pins were intact and safety wired. The actuator was installed on a test rig, and technicians applied hydraulic pressure to the forward hydraulic port. There was no evidence of leaks when the technicians applied 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi) of hydraulic pressure. When hydraulic pressure was applied to the aft hydraulic port, there was extensive leaking of hydraulic fluid around the rear seal. The securing pin safety wire was cut and removed. Multiple attempts to remove the securing pin using a punch and hammer were unsuccessful. The investigator observed corrosion around and on the aftsecuring pin. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5403E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5403E), registered now, S/N 18503963, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F - 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: 18503963 - Airframe hours: 3648 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Armstrong Marine, Inc. - Registered owner: Armstrong Marine Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2008 - Departed: WN29, Sequim, WA - Destination: KLS, Rainier, OR - Airport: KLS, Kelso-Longview Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 266 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KLS, 2 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 20080627840699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080627840699A), Jun 27, 2008: Cessna 185F, Rainier, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed from a hard surfaced runway near squim, WA. He flew south with the intent to land in the columbia river at Rainier, OR. Upon impact with… 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.