- Date
- July 18, 1998, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place
- Moneta, VA
- Injuries
- 3 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N1481FCessna A185F
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 16, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19980718024499A
- Case key
- 43213
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with water.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The amphibian airplane lifted off the lake after a normal takeoff run. During a turn to avoid terrain, the airplane descended and it's right float contacted the water. The airplane then cartwheeled, flipped over, and sank. Examination of the wreckage did not disclose evidence of any mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine.
Factual narrative
On July, 18, 1998, about 1540 eastern daylight time, a Cessna A185F, an amphibian, N1481F, was substantially damaged during a collision with water after takeoff from the Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
In a written statement, the pilot said he left the dock and water taxied to a location on the lake to permit a takeoff without interfering with boat traffic. He further stated:
"..The aircraft commenced a takeoff run, which was normal. Shortly after departure, the aircraft did not seem to be climbing at a normal rate. Trees and a hill lay ahead along the intended departure path, a path that clearly seemed sufficient at the time of takeoff, and it was not certain that the aircraft would climb fast enough to clear the tree tops. I elected to remain over water, which necessitated a moderately steep right turn. During the turn, the aircraft went into a high speed stall. I attempted to recover by lowering the nose, but there was not sufficient altitude. ..."
The airplane's right float contacted the water, it then cartwheeled, flipped over, and sank.
In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, witnesses who were flying in an airplane above the lake, said they observed the airplane lift off the water and begin a slight turn to right. It then impacted the water.
The airplane was recovered from the lake on July 23, 1998. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector did not disclose evidence of any mechanical malfunctions of the airframe or engine. Both wings were separated from the airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N1481F
- Reported as
- Cessna A185F
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 3308
- Airframe hours
- 1,909
- Engine
- Continental IO-520D, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- George F. Marshall
- Registered owner
- Frederick Investment Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · July 22, 1997 · 42 hours before
- Departed
- NONE · Moneta, VA
- Airport
- W91 · Smith Mountain Lake Arpt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 58
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land, Single-engine sea
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 2,500 total · 600 in this make and model · 2,500 as pilot in command · 20 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Variable at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 86 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- LYH, 18 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.