# NTSB ANC12CA067: Cessna 207A, N2162C, Kotlik, AK, July 6, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2012, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Kotlik, AK - Coordinates: 63.025001, -163.526107 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0250&lon=-163.5261&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 84217 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84217/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84217 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA067 ## 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. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 207A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2073605), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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, and 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 examination 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 that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2162C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2162C-2019-10-05), registration cancelled 2019-10-05, S/N 20700575, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 207A - Registry model: [Cessna 207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207a) (registry code 2073605) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520-F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-f) (registry code 17237, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20700575 - Airframe hours: 21585 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Grant Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Grant Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, June 30, 2012 - Departed: PFKO, Kotlik, AK - Destination: PAEM, Emmonak, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: PFKO, Kotlik Airport, runway 02, 4,422 × 100 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 2, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 2,075 total, 358 in this make and model, 2,034 as pilot in command, 181 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: PAEM, 30 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20120706028429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120706028429A), Jul 6, 2012: Cessna 207A, Kotlik, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot impacted a river while adjusting power settings after departure from Kotlik. He returned to Kotlik and on landing the propeller and nose struck the… ## Other investigations on N2162C (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC98LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA104), Jun 18, 1998: Cessna 207 (N2162C), Bethel, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: An in-flight collision with a large bird. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84217. 753 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 753 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375359&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.