CESSNA A185F near Fairbanks, AK — 2022-10-06
- Date
- 2022-10-06
- Location
- Fairbanks, AK, USA
- Airport
- AK28
- Aircraft
- CESSNA A185F
- Registration
- N217C
- Category
- Airplane
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatalities
- 1
- Phase of flight
- Taxi
Probable cause
The improperly maintained floats, which allowed water to fill the front compartments and resulted in the airplane nosing over during taxi. Contributing to the fatal injury of the pilot was the improperly secured cargo, which prevented the pilot from egressing the airplane following the nose-over.
Contributing factors
Contributing to the fatal injury of the pilot was the improperly secured cargo, which prevented the pilot from egressing the airplane following the nose-over.
NTSB narrative
The pilot of the float-equipped airplane was departing from a pond. He aborted the first attempt and was taxiing back to attempt a second takeoff. Witnesses saw the floats almost fully submerged under the water as the airplane taxied and stated that the pitch attitude of the airplane was unusually nose-low. The pilot reduced engine power and the airplane nosed over. The airplane was not damaged; however, several hundred pounds of unsecured cargo inside the airplane shifted during the nose-over and likely resulted in the pilot’s inability to egress and his subsequent drowning. During a postaccident examination, two unsealed holes were found under the float bumpers that would have allowed water to enter the front compartment of each float. It is likely that the front compartments in both floats filled with water and resulted in the nose-over during taxi.
Analysis
- Primary failure mode
- Mechanical failure
- First missed decision gate
- Pilot could have ensured floats were watertight before attempting takeoff.
NTSB coding
Evidence available
- Photos
- 6 docket documents
Docket documents6
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