On August 8, 1982, a Cessna 185F (registration N1344Q) operated by William J. Barton,jr. was involved in an aviation accident near Lake George, NY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Witnesses observed an aircraft pitch up sharply during initial climb over Lake George, then descend in a left turn and touch down hard on the water before returning for a normal landing.
What happened
Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft exhibited a nose-up pitch attitude ranging between thirty and forty-five degrees during the initial climb phase after departing from Lake George. At an altitude of several hundred feet above the ground, observers noted the aircraft executing a descending left turn toward the surface of the lake.
The subsequent touchdown on the water was described as hard, with the aircraft maintaining a left wing-low attitude upon impact. Following this event, the aircraft bounced and departed the immediate area for approximately thirty minutes before returning to perform what witnesses characterized as a normal landing.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 8 Aug 1982 Cessna 185F accident near Lake George, NY?
Witnesses observed an aircraft pitch up sharply during initial climb over Lake George, then descend in a left turn and touch down hard on the water before returning for a normal landing.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 8 Aug 1982 involved a Cessna 185F, registration N1344Q, operated by William J. Barton,jr., at Lake George, NY.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…