Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 180A near Skwentna, AK — 2022-09-25

Final reportANC22LA080
Sign in to save
Date
2022-09-25
Location
Skwentna, AK, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 180A
Registration
N9728B
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

The failure of the landing gear float due to inadequate maintenance of the floats and corrosion.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing on a cross-country flight in a float-equipped airplane when the accident occurred. She had contacted a family member and stated she was departing; however, she did not arrive at the destination when expected. A search was initiated, and the airplane was located partially submerged in the departure lake. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that both floats were heavily corroded and separated from the fuselage. There was no evidence that either float had contacted a foreign object in the water. A portion of the hull on the right float tore open and bent back. It is likely that tear in the float resulted in the airplane impacting the water during the takeoff. Maintenance records were not available for review during the investigation. Though toxicology testing of the pilot’s tissue detected diazepam and venlafaxine and their metabolites in the pilot’s system, it is unlikely that the effects of these medications contributed to this accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should not have flown with diazepam affecting performance.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

Related mishaps