Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 210 near Bettles, AK — 2017-07-08

Final reportGAA17CA474
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Date
2017-07-08
Location
Bettles, AK, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 210
Registration
N9664X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath during the approach to the runway over glassy water and in glaring sun conditions.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he overflew a remote airstrip, which was bounded by a lake on the approach end. He added that he circled back to land and that, during final approach, he encountered "glassy water and bright sun." Subsequently, the airplane landed short of the runway in the lake, sunk in more than 500 ft of water, and was not recovered. The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector who interviewed the pilot reported that he stated that the sun and the reflection off the lake gave him the impression that the airplane was higher than it was. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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