# NTSB NYC97LA153: Cessna 185, N8717Z, Norway, ME, July 25, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 25, 1997, 11:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Norway, ME - Location: 44.2307° N, 70.5634° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norway, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2307&lon=-70.5634&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39409 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39409/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA153 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering to avoid an obstacle. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot was conducting floatplane operations on a lake. When he found himself fast and high on approach to a small area on the lake, he configured the airplane with 40 degrees of flaps. The airplane touched down flat and hard, and was headed for an obstruction in the water. The pilot's focus was on the obstruction in the water and he did not apply enough back pressure to the yoke. When the pilot added right rudder to avoid the obstruction, the airplane's left float submerged and the left wing impacted the water. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On July 25, 1997, about 1140 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 185, a floatplane, N8717Z, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing at Norway Lake, Norway, Maine. The certificated student pilot was not injured. No flight plan was filed for the instructional flight that departed the Naples Seaplane Base, Naples, Maine, at 1120. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he flew directly to Norway and performed a touch and go on the "big side" of the lake. He added that the winds were variable at 3 knots and the maneuver was "routine". After completing the maneuver, the pilot flew to the "small side" of the lake where he planned to perform another touch and go. He further stated, "I had previously landed here very easily which must have made me over confident." The pilot added that on final, he was fast and high, so he configured the airplane with 40 degrees of flaps. He also stated that he didn't execute a go-around because of high terrain, and the fact that the airplane was configured with full flaps. According to the pilot, the airplane touched down flat, but hard, and was headed for an obstruction in the water. The pilot noted that his focus was on the obstruction, and that he did not apply enough back pressure to the yoke. When the pilot added right rudder to avoid the obstruction, the airplane's left float submerged and the left wing impacted the water. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8717Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8717Z), registered now, S/N 18502901, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 185-02901 - Airframe hours: 3371 - Engines: Continental IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Peter M Bottomley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1997, 30 hours before - Departed: 76B, RANDY POND, ME - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total, 23 in this make and model, 37 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BGR, 60 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 19970725019799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970725019799A), Jul 25, 1997: Cessna A185F, Norway, ME, Substantial damage. Aircraft encountered strong winds on landing and flipped over. (.4)the pilot was conducting floatplane operation on a lake. When he found himself fast and high… 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.