# NTSB SEA89LA024: Cessna 180J, N46602, Ketchikan, AK, December 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1988, 15:36 local (23:36 UTC)
- Place: Ketchikan, AK
- Location: 55.3571° N, 131.6746° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ketchikan, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.3571&lon=-131.6746&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40961/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA024

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD PLANNED TO TAXI THE FLOATPLANE FROM ONE RAMP TO ANOTHER FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING AN ANNUAL INPN & TO DOCK THE PLANE AT BETTER FACILITIES. SHE FOUND THE FLOAT RUDDER PULLEY TO BE INOPERATIVE. A DECISION WAS THEN MADE TO FLY THE PLANE FROM ITS ORIGINAL RAMP TO THE NEW LOCATION. DURING A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION AT ABOUT 150 TO 200 FT AGL,THE AIRCRAFT 'QUIT FLYING' & DESCENDED TO THE WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, taxi
  - flight control,ruddervator attachment - inoperative
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - maneuver - initiated
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46602](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46602-1994-06-28), registration cancelled 1994-06-28, S/N 18052429 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J
- Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052429
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R25 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Debbie S. White
- Registered owner: White Construction, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1988, 102 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 223 total, 134 in this make and model, 162 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F

## 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 19881206069219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881206069219A), Dec 6, 1988: Cessna 180J, Ketchikan, AK, Substantial damage. Water rudder was stuck. Tried to take off from water and land at airport. Lost altitude on climb, dived into water.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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