# NTSB SEA88LA092: Cessna 185, N1701R, Mercer Island, WA, May 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1988, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Mercer Island, WA
- Coordinates: 47.56097, -122.220634 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5610&lon=-122.2206&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 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA092

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - submerged object (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A LOG WHILE LANDING ON THE WATER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN NOSED OVER INVERTED AND SANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1701R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1701R), registered now, S/N 18502423, built 1974 (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: 18502324
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Don A. Buckner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1988
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: LAKE WASHINGTON, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,661 total, 136 in this make and model, 1,642 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19880510037819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880510037819A), May 10, 1988: Cessna 185F, Mercer Island, WA, Substantial damage. Floatplane struck a log and flipped over while landing in Lake Washington.

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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