# NTSB SEA85LA108: Cessna 185, N5313Y, Ketchikan, AK, May 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1985, 16:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Ketchikan, AK
- Coordinates: 55.610767, -131.580795 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6108&lon=-131.5808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40154
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40154/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA108

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - wheels down landing in water - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - window,inspection/observation - lack of (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE THE PLT STATED HE SELECTED GEAR UP. HE STATED THAT THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS INDICATED THAT ONE GEAR AS STILL IN THE DOWN POSITION. HE SAID HE RECYLCLED THE GEAR AND THEN CHECKED THE GEAR INDICATOR BLUBS. THE PILOT SAID HE THEN HAND PUMPED THE GEAR UNTIL HE BELIEVED THE GEAR TO THE BE IN THE UP POSITION. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE WATER AND THEN NOSED OVER AS THE GEAR WAS STILL DOWN. THE FLOAT PLATE WAS FOUND TO BE INSTALLED BACKWARDS. FAA INSPECTORS TALKED TO FOUR WITNESSES WHO SAID THAT ALL GEAR WAS IN THE DOWN POSITION. THE LEFT GEAR CAN BE CHECKED VISUALLY FROM THE COCKPIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5313Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 03284
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steve D. Seley, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: WRG, WRANGELL, AK
- Destination: SPB, KETCHIKAN PT, AK
- Airport: SPB, Ketchikan Pennisula Point, runway 22, 10,000 × 200 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,025 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KTN

## 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 19850507058429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850507058429A), May 7, 1985: Cessna A185F, Ketchikan, AK, Substantial damage. Water landing made with wheel extended. Aircraft flipped over. Pilot assumed he had pumped gear up on departure.

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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