CESSNA 207A

Kotlik, AK — July 6, 2012

Event Information

DateJuly 6, 2012
Event TypeACC
NTSB NumberANC12CA067
Event ID20120706X05542
LocationKotlik, AK
CountryUSA
Coordinates63.02500, -163.52611
AirportKotlik Airport
Highest InjuryNONE

Aircraft

MakeCESSNA
Model207A
CategoryAIR
FAR Part091
Aircraft DamageSUBS

Conditions

Light ConditionDAYL
WeatherVMC

Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
None1
Total Injured0

Event Location

Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain during cruise flight at low altitude, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water. A contributing factor was the pilot’s diverted attention to adjust the engine power.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that he was following a river, in level cruise flight at 200 feet above the water. While adjusting the engine power his attention was temporarily distracted, the airplane descended, and struck the surface of the water. After the collision, the pilot climbed the airplane to 500 feet above ground level, and proceeded directly to the nearest airport. Upon landing, the propeller, and nose of the airplane struck the ground. A postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed that the nose wheel was torn from the airplane during the collision with the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall, and fuselage. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

About This NTSB Record

This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.

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