1993-07-01: Cessna 180K — Edward Downer — Webster, NH

Casualties unknown • Webster, NH, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, HIS FAILURE TO ASSURE PROPER WEIGHT AND BALANCE OF THE AIRCRAFT FOR TAKEOFF, AND HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN AND/OR MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. A POSSIBLE FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: WATER IN THE RIGHT FLOAT.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A LAKE, AT ABOUT 40 FEET ABOVE THE LAKE'S SURFACE, THE AIRPLANE STALLED, THEN IMPACTED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND NOSED OVER. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES. THE AIRPLANE'S CARGO WEIGHED ABOUT 400 POUNDS. GROSS WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE WAS CALCULATED TO BE ABOUT 3450 POUNDS, WHICH WAS ABOUT 630 POUNDS OVER ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT LIMIT. ALSO, AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE AFT 3 COMPARTMENTS OF THE RIGHT FLOAT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-07-01 Cessna 180K accident near Webster, NH?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-07-01 involved a Cessna 180K, registration N2880K, operated by Edward Downer, at Webster, NH.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, HIS FAILURE TO ASSURE PROPER WEIGHT AND BALANCE OF THE AIRCRAFT FOR TAKEOFF, AND HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN AND/OR MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. A POSSIBLE FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: WATER IN THE RIGHT FLOAT.

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