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February 22, 1984 · Cessna 185F · N4460R

Key West, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 22, 1984
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Location
Key West, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 185F
Tail Number
N4460R
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA84FA091

THE ACFT LANDED AFTER A PREVIOUS FLT & WAS REFUELED & PREFLIGHT FOR ANOTHER MISSION. ACCORDING TO MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, THE ACFT FLOATS WERE DRAINED ONCE EVERY MORNING BEFORE THE 1ST FLT OF THE DAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS. THE PLT STATED THAT WHEN SHE WAS TAKING OFF FROM THE SEAPLANE BASE, THE FRONT RIGHT DOOR WINDOW BECAME OPEN & SHE LEANED TO THE RIGHT TO CHECK THAT THE DOOR WAS CLOSED & LOCKED. SHE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF. WHEN THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, SHE HAD TO HOLD AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF RIGHT AILERON TO HOLD THE WINGS LEVEL. AT THAT TIME, SHE NOTED THAT THE ACFT WAS NOT ACCELERATING & CLIMBING PROPERLY. THERE WERE HIGH TENSION WIRE AHEAD, SO SHE ELECTED TO ABORT. THE ACFT WAS BANKED TO THE LEFT & WAS LANDED HARD WHILE IN A LEFT WING LOW, FORWARD SLIP. THE FLOATS SEPARATED, & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CAME TO REST IN ABOUT 4 FT OF SALT WATER. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE WAS FOUND EXCEPT THE LEFT FLOAT HAD 3 POPPED RIVETS & A QUANTITY OF WATER.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT LANDED AFTER A PREVIOUS FLT & WAS REFUELED & PREFLIGHT FOR ANOTHER MISSION. ACCORDING TO MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, THE ACFT FLOATS WERE DRAINED ONCE EVERY MORNING BEFORE THE 1ST FLT OF THE DAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS. THE PLT STATED THAT WHEN SHE WAS TAKING OFF FROM THE SEAPLANE BASE, THE FRONT RIGHT DOOR WINDOW BECAME OPEN & SHE LEANED TO THE RIGHT TO CHECK THAT THE DOOR WAS CLOSED & LOCKED. SHE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF. WHEN THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE, SHE HAD TO HOLD AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF RIGHT AILERON TO HOLD THE WINGS LEVEL. AT THAT TIME, SHE NOTED THAT THE ACFT WAS NOT ACCELERATING & CLIMBING PROPERLY. THERE WERE HIGH TENSION WIRE AHEAD, SO SHE ELECTED TO ABORT. THE ACFT WAS BANKED TO THE LEFT & WAS LANDED HARD WHILE IN A LEFT WING LOW, FORWARD SLIP. THE FLOATS SEPARATED, & SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CAME TO REST IN ABOUT 4 FT OF SALT WATER. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT FAILURE WAS FOUND EXCEPT THE LEFT FLOAT HAD 3 POPPED RIVETS & A QUANTITY OF WATER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 EST
Nearest AirportGlf Of Mex.Seaplane Base (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185F
Tail NumberN4460R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · I0-520-D24 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured2
Total6
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data