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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 3, 1990 · Cessna 180B · N3125W

Butterfly Lake, AK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 3, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Butterfly Lake, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 180B
Tail Number
N3125W
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC90LA113

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE FORGOT TO RETRACT THE WHEEL PORTION OF HIS AMPHIBIOUS FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE FOLLOWING A TAKEOFF FROM A HARD SURFACED RUNWAY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, HE LANDED IN THE WATER WITH THE WHEELS EXTENDED AND IMMEDIATELY NOSED OVER. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE FELT RUSHED DURING HIS PRECEDING TAKEOFF DUE TO A POTENTIAL AIR TRAFFIC CONFLICT, AND HE SUSPECTS THAT HIS CONCERN FOR THE LOCATION OF THE APPROACHING TRAFFIC INTERRUPTED HIS NORMAL HABIT OF RETRACTING THE GEAR.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO RETRACT THE AIRPLANE'S WHEEL PRIOR TO A WATER LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE HIS FAILURE TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES, AND HABIT INTERFERENCE CAUSED BY HIS CONCERN OVER AN AIR TRAFFIC CONFLICT DURING THE PRECEDING TAKEOFF.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE FORGOT TO RETRACT THE WHEEL PORTION OF HIS AMPHIBIOUS FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE FOLLOWING A TAKEOFF FROM A HARD SURFACED RUNWAY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, HE LANDED IN THE WATER WITH THE WHEELS EXTENDED AND IMMEDIATELY NOSED OVER. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE FELT RUSHED DURING HIS PRECEDING TAKEOFF DUE TO A POTENTIAL AIR TRAFFIC CONFLICT, AND HE SUSPECTS THAT HIS CONCERN FOR THE LOCATION OF THE APPROACHING TRAFFIC INTERRUPTED HIS NORMAL HABIT OF RETRACTING THE GEAR.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportButterfly Lake (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180B
Tail NumberN3125W
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470K · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind155° @ 8 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data