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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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January 27, 1985 · Cessna 140A · N5603C

Three Rivers, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 27, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Three Rivers, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 140A
Tail Number
N5603C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI85LA098

THE SKI EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT WAS TAXIING ON THE FROZEN SURFACE OF THE LAKE WHEN THE TWO BOTTOM BOLTS THAT ATTACHED THE RIGHT SKI TO THE GEAR LEG FAILED THE OVERLOAD FAILED THE TWO TOP BOLTS AND THE SKI FAILED OUT AND UP AT A FORTY FIVE DEGREE ANGLE THIS PERMITTED THE GEAR LEG TO DIG INTO THE ICE AND NOSE THE ACFT OVER INVERTED.

Full Narrative

THE SKI EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT WAS TAXIING ON THE FROZEN SURFACE OF THE LAKE WHEN THE TWO BOTTOM BOLTS THAT ATTACHED THE RIGHT SKI TO THE GEAR LEG FAILED THE OVERLOAD FAILED THE TWO TOP BOLTS AND THE SKI FAILED OUT AND UP AT A FORTY FIVE DEGREE ANGLE THIS PERMITTED THE GEAR LEG TO DIG INTO THE ICE AND NOSE THE ACFT OVER INVERTED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 140A
Tail NumberN5603C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C90 SERIES · Reciprocating · 95
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 14 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point21 C / 14 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data