# NTSB NYC98LA151: Cessna A185F, N1481F, Moneta, VA, July 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 18, 1998, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Moneta, VA - Coordinates: 37.179382, -79.630432 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1794&lon=-79.6304&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43213 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43213/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA151 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with water. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1481F-2012-08-01), registration cancelled 2012-08-01, S/N 18502856, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna A185F - 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: 3308 - Airframe hours: 1909 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980718024499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980718024499A), Jul 18, 1998: Cessna A185F, Moneta, VA, Substantial damage. (.4) 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… 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.