Cessna A185F accident near Rainier, Oregon, June 28, 2008
On June 28, 2008, a Cessna A185F, registered N5403E, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Rainier, Oregon (Kelso-Longview Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inadvertent extension of the left float's landing gear to near the down position due to a failure of the gear's rear hydraulic seal.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2008
- Place
- Rainier, Oregon · Kelso-Longview Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185F · all A185Fs on the register
- Registration
- N5403E · registry record · serial 18503963
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The amphibian airplane nosed over on touchdown in a river. Postaccident investigation determined that the landing gear was extended, but the cockpit gear selector was in the retracted position. Examination revealed hydraulic fluid within the number seven and eight bulkheads of the left float. Applying compressed air to one of the hydraulic lines resulted in hydraulic fluid leaking from the tension actuator. During examination of the actuator, extensive leaking of hydraulic fluid around the rear seal occurred after application of hydraulic pressure to the aft hydraulic port. There was corrosion around and on the aft securing pin. The hydraulic leak would allow the landing gear to extend from the float.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Landing gear not configured during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear actuator › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 550 hours in all; 266 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,648 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Armstrong Marine, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: WN29 Sequim WA at 11:20 pm
- Destination: KLS Rainier OR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.