# NTSB SEA83LA129: Cessna 172PII, N54274, Richmond Beach, CA, June 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1983, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Richmond Beach, CA
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA129

## Analysis

THE FLOAT PLANE OVERTURNED DURING A GLASSY WATER LANDING. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED BUT THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE NOT INJURED. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND,THE ACFT CONTACTED THE WATER IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AND TWISTED IN A CLOCKWISE DIRECTION. THE RIGHT FLOAT FILLED WITH WATER AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGER DONNED LIFE VESTS. BOTH OCCUPANTS EXITED THE LEFT DOOR OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT ROLLED OVER INVERTED AND FILLED WITH WATER. ONLY THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOATS WERE VISIBLE ON THE WATERS SURFACE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - water loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- Roll over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54274](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54274-2001-03-13), registration cancelled 2001-03-13, S/N 17274939 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172PII
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274939
- Airframe hours: 642
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John F. Sullivan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 18, 1983, 42 hours before
- Departed: WA47, RENTON, WA
- Destination: WA47, RENTON, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 13 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFI, 7 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 19830619027639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830619027639A), Jun 19, 1983: Cessna 172P, Shilshole Bay, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting landing on glassy water and misjudged height causing hard landing.

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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