# NTSB MIA84FA091: Cessna 185F, N4460R, Key West, FL, February 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1984, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Key West, FL
- Coordinates: 24.550546, -81.78057 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5505&lon=-81.7806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30973
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30973/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - landing gear,float assembly - leak (cause)
  - landing gear,float assembly - water (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED AFTER A PREVIOUS FLT & WAS REFUELED & PREFLIGHT FOR ANOTHER MISSION. ACCORDING TO MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, THE ACFT FLOATS WERE DRAINED ONCE EVERY MORNING BEFORE THE 1ST FLT OF THE DAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS. THE PLT STATED THAT WHEN SHE WAS TAKING OFF FROM THE SEAPLANE BASE, THE FRONT RIGHT DOOR WINDOW BECAME OPEN & SHE LEANED TO THE RIGHT TO CHECK THAT THE DOOR WAS CLOSED & LOCKED. SHE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF. WHEN THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, SHE HAD TO HOLD AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF RIGHT AILERON TO HOLD THE WINGS LEVEL. AT THAT TIME, SHE NOTED THAT THE ACFT WAS NOT ACCELERATING & CLIMBING PROPERLY. THERE WERE HIGH TENSION WIRE AHEAD, SO SHE ELECTED TO ABORT. THE ACFT WAS BANKED TO THE LEFT & WAS LANDED HARD WHILE IN A LEFT WING LOW, FORWARD SLIP. THE FLOATS SEPARATED, & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CAME TO REST IN ABOUT 4 FT OF SALT WATER. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE WAS FOUND EXCEPT THE LEFT FLOAT HAD 3 POPPED RIVETS & A QUANTITY OF WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4460R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4460R-1984-05-14), registration cancelled 1984-05-14, S/N 18502962, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-02962
- Airframe hours: 4043
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-520-D24 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Keywest Seaplane Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1983, 47 hours before
- Departed: SB, KEYWEST, FL
- Destination: SB, DRY TORTUGA, FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE, Glf Of Mex.Seaplane Base

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,900 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW, 1 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 19840222005429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840222005429A), Feb 22, 1984: Cessna 185F, Key West, FL, Destroyed. Seaplane climb performance poor after liftoff. Aborted, hit water in a forward slip. Left float had too much water.

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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