Summary
On October 11, 2014, a Cessna 180B (N180CT) was involved in an incident near Coloma, MI. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot did not use the departure checklist, resulting in an inadvertent landing with the pontoon wheels extended.
According to the pilot's written statement, he departed a land-based airport and flew to a nearby lake. Being a short and direct flight, he did not use the departure checklist and forgot to retract the wheels on the pontoons. Immediately upon touching down in the water, the airplane nosed over. Post-accident examination revealed the firewall had been buckled by impact. There were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or its systems that would have precluded normal operations.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN15CA016. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N180CT.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot did not use the departure checklist, resulting in an inadvertent landing with the pontoon wheels extended.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot's written statement, he departed a land-based airport and flew to a nearby lake. Being a short and direct flight, he did not use the departure checklist and forgot to retract the wheels on the pontoons. Immediately upon touching down in the water, the airplane nosed over. Post-accident examination revealed the firewall had been buckled by impact. There were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane or its systems that would have precluded normal operations.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN15CA016