# NTSB NYC94LA079: Cessna A185F, N30NC, Hempstead, NY, May 13, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1994, 17:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Hempstead, NY
- Coordinates: 40.639583, -73.690574 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6396&lon=-73.6906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38750
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38750/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA079

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT COLLISION WITH A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION AFTER SWERVING TO AVOID BIRDS DURING A WATER TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - bird(s) (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE AMPHIBIAN-EQUIPPED AIRPLANE STARTED THE WATER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT STATED:  'TO AVOID BIRDS I ADJUSTED TO [THE] LEFT, TO AVOID MARSH I WENT FURTHER LEFT WHERE I RAN OUT OF WATER.'  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE SHALLOW MARSH AND NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On Friday, May 13, 1994, at 1735 eastern daylight time, an  amphibian-equipped Cessna A185F, N30NC, registered to Larry Wallach and piloted by Arthur W. Watkins, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff on Hewlett Bay, Hempstead, New York.   The pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was being conducted under  14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he was conducting a water takeoff in a westerly direction, when he made a turn to avoid birds.  He also reported, "To avoid [a] marsh I went further left, where I ran out of water."

The airplane entered shallow water, impacted terrain and nosed over.  Both occupants were able to evacuate the airplane through the cabin door.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N30NC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503900
- Airframe hours: 4584
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry  Wallach
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1993, 190 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: ISP, ISLIP, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 185 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 17 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19940513010799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940513010799A), May 13, 1994: Cessna A185F, Hempstead, NY, Substantial damage. Amphibious aircraft on water takeoff. Pilot swerved to avoid birds. Ran into a marsh and out of water. Nosed over.

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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