Cessna A185F accident near Kent, WA
On August 24, 2024, a Cessna A185F (airplane) was involved in an accident near Kent, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 24, 2024
- Place
- Kent, WA
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185F · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 47.364°N, 122.154°W
- NTSB ID
- 20240824194996
Official records · WPR24FA285
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 24, 2024, about 1010 Pacific daylight time, an amphibious float-equipped Cessna A185F airplane, N61323, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Kent, Washington. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to one witness, a private event was scheduled at a residence on Meridian Lake in Kent, Washington, and the pilot offered to reposition the airplane to the lake so it could be used as an event and photo backdrop. About 0700 on the day of the accident, an event guest of honor, who was a certificated pilot, noticed the local weather and sent a text to the accident pilot, telling him not to worry about flying the airplane to the lake. The witness stated that the accident pilot responded that “the weather was fine.” The witness later received a message from the pilot about 1000 that stated, “on my way.” Two witnesses at the airport reported that the pilot had been storing his airplane outside next to their hangar since early July 2024. They observed that, on the morning of the accident, the pilot added air to the airplane’s tires. They said that the pilot aborted the first takeoff attempt on the runway, then taxied back for a second attempt and successfully departed. They watched until the airplane flew out of sight and observed that the pilot “never pulled the gear up.” Commercially available ADS-B data showed the airplane departed from Crest Airfield (S36), Covington, Washington, and flew northwest toward Meridian Lake in Kent, Washing
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to properly configure the amphibious landing gear for a water landing, which resulted in a touchdown on the water with the wheels extended, noseover, and airplane submersion.
More accidents in WA
- Dehavilland DHC-3, Sep 4, 2022
- Cessna 208B, Oct 8, 2007
- Cessna 172P, Dec 7, 1991
- Piper PA-32-260, Jul 29, 2001
- Beech A60, Nov 21, 1992
Browse: Washington · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
