Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN15CA016

Coloma, MI, USA

Aircraft #1

N180CT

CESSNA 180B

Analysis

The pilot departed a land-based airport and flew to a nearby lake. Being a short and direct flight, the pilot said 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.

Factual Information

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.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot did not use the departure checklist, resulting in an inadvertent landing with the pontoon wheels extended.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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