Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary GAA17CA332

Elfin Cove, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N1265U

CESSNA 208

Analysis

The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during a water landing, he "misread the size of the swell." He added that, immediately after touchdown. the airplane jumped a swell, which resulted in a tail-low hard landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual Information

The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during a water landing, he "misread the size of the swell". He added that, immediately after touchdown the airplane jumped a swell, which resulted in a tail low hard landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot’s failure to recognize the magnitude of the swell size during landing, which resulted in a tail-low hard water landing.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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