# NTSB NYC90LA007: Cessna 185F, N7321H, Rockwood, ME, October 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1989, 11:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Rockwood, ME
- Location: 45.6778° N, 69.7409° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rockwood, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6778&lon=-69.7409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36565/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA007

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE GUSTING CROSSWIND. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE WIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A TOUCHDOWN POINT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER THE FLOAT EQUIPPED CESSNA TOUCHED DOWN ON A LAKE, A GUST OF WIND RAISED THE LEFT WING, ALLOWING THE RIGHT WING TO CATCH THE WATER AND CARTWHEEL THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE GUST APPEARED TO HAVE COME FROM THE MOUTH OF A RIVER ADJOINING THE LAKE, AND THAT HE SHOULD HAVE TOUCHED DOWN BEFORE THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7321H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503361
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Wayne J. Kellenberger
- Departed: ROCKWOOD, ME
- Airport: Moosehead Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 382 total, 202 in this make and model, 323 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19891008039439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891008039439A), Oct 8, 1989: Cessna 185F, Rockwood, ME, Substantial damage. During crosswind landing on a lake, floatplane cartwheeled and flipped over in lake.

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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