# NTSB NYC90LA020: Cessna 182B, N2537G, Lowell, MA, October 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1989, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Lowell, MA
- Location: 42.6390° N, 71.3210° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lowell, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6390&lon=-71.3210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36577
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36577/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA020

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ASSURE THAT THE FLOAT WHEELS WERE RETRACTED PRIOR TO A WATER LANDING. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE EXTENSION OF THE LEFT FLOAT WHEELS FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,float assembly - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels down landing in water - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE FLOAT EQUIPPED CESSNA 182 MADE A WATER LANDING WITH THE LEFT WHEELS EXTENDED. THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER AND THE FLOATS SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE FLOATS ARE EQUIPED WITH VISUAL INDICATORS TO INDICATE WHEN THE WHEELS ARE EXTENDED (RED) OR NOT EXTENDED (RED NOT VISIBLE). POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE FLOATS SHOWED THE LEFT FLOAT HAD WHEELS EXTENDED AND THE RED MARKER WAS MOSTLY VISIBLE. ON THE RIGHT FLOAT, THE WHEELS WERE RETRACTED AND THE MARKER WAS BARELY VISIBLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2537G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2537G), registered now, S/N 51837, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182B
- Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51837
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dolan Funeral Home, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1989, 1,375 hours before
- Departed: B09, TEWKSBURY, MA
- Destination: LOWELL, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 378 total, 120 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °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 19891029043509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891029043509A), Oct 29, 1989: Cessna 182B, Lowell, MA, Substantial damage. Flipped over landing amphibian on river. Left gear failed retract for water landing. Pilot failed check position.

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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