# NTSB NYC03LA196: Cessna 180D, N6445X, Greenville, ME, September 7, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 7, 2003, 10:28 local (14:28 UTC) - Place: Greenville, ME - Coordinates: 45.470001, -69.533607 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4700&lon=-69.5336&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 57896 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57896/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA196 ## Probable cause The inadequate installation and inspection of an aileron cable by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of control in-flight and subsequent collision with water. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - flight control,aileron attachment - separation - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The private pilot was receiving a refresher course in seaplane flying. While conducting the fifth takeoff of the day, with the private pilot at the controls, the private pilot observed that he had no aileron control as the airplane lifted off from the lake. After the flight instructor assumed the controls, the airplane rolled to the right, impacted the water, and sank to a depth of 60 feet. Examination of the wreckage revealed that a turnbuckle was separated from the right aileron cable. The turnbuckle was not safety-wired. The airplane had accumulated about 55 hours of operation since it's last annual inspection. Examination of the airplane's engine maintenance logs revealed an entry that stated, "Removed and replaced left and right aileron control cables, 0752015-22. Replace aileron carry thru cable, 0510105-12, IAW Chapter 6-6-18 A,B,C. Rigged IAW par 6-20 A, thru I." The entry was signed and acknowledged, "I certify this Aircraft has been inspected I/A/W an annual inspection and determined to be in an airworthy condition." ## Factual narrative On September 7, 2003, at 1028 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 180D amphibian, N6445X, was substantially damaged while departing from Moosehead Lake, Greenville, Maine. The certificated flight instructor and private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was providing the private pilot a refresher course in seaplane flying. While conducting the fifth takeoff of the day, with the private pilot at the controls, the private pilot observed that he had no aileron control as the airplane lifted off from the lake. After the flight instructor assumed the controls, the airplane rolled to the right, impacted the water, and sank to a depth of 60 feet. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage after the accident. He observed substantial damage to the left and right wings, and the fuselage. The inspector also observed that a turnbuckle was separated from the right aileron cable. The turnbuckle was not safety-wired. The airplane had accumulated about 55 hours of operation since it's last annual inspection. Examination of the airplane's engine maintenance logs revealed an entry that stated, "Removed and replaced left and right aileron control cables, 0752015-22. Replace aileron carry thru cable, 0510105-12, IAW Chapter 6-6-18 A,B,C. Rigged IAW par 6-20 A, thru I." The entry was signed and acknowledged, "I certify this Aircraft has been inspected I/A/W an annual inspection and determined to be in an airworthy condition." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6445X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6445X-2010-12-15), registration cancelled 2010-12-15, S/N 18050945, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180D - Registry model: [Cessna 180D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180d) (registry code 2072610) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18050945 - Airframe hours: 7055 - Engines: Continental O-470 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: M and F Aircraft, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 2004, 51 hours before - Departed: NONE, Greenville, ME - Airport: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 56; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 26, 2003; seat: right; flight hours: 24,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 450 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 15, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 15 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: GNR ## 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 20030907025699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030907025699A), Sep 7, 2003: Cessna 180D, Greenville, ME, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 7, 2003, at approximately 1028 LCL, a Cessna 180D on floats, N6445X, piloted by michael j. conaboy, certificate number 2089588, com sel/ses… 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.