Pilot Debrief

CESSNA T206H near Big Bend-Gold Bar, WA — 2024-08-30

Final reportWPR24LA303
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Date
2024-08-30
Location
Big Bend-Gold Bar, WA, USA
Airport
none
Aircraft
CESSNA T206H
Registration
N379ME
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that during the approach to a lake over glassy water, he misjudged the height of the airplane above the water’s surface. He reported that he “had no sense of depth perception” and the airplane impacted the water when he thought it was about 10 ft above the surface. The pilot chose to set the airplane on the water surface to avoid departing with possible damage. However, the airplane handed hard and the float struts collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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