- Date
- July 28, 2013, 18:17 local (Jul 29, 2013, 02:17 UTC)
- Place
- Kotzebue, AK
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N4557FCessna A185E
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Nose over/nose down
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 5, 2013
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration
- FAA report
- 20130728015449A
- Case key
- 87618
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's lack of situational awareness and failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident was the check airmen’s inadequate supervision.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot was demonstrating a confined area takeoff for a part 135 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) competency check from a remote lake in a float equipped airplane. The check airman, seated in the right seat, instructed the pilot to begin his takeoff run 90 degrees from the prevailing wind, and turn into the wind as the airplane accelerated for departure. During the takeoff water run the pilot failed to turn away from the shoreline. The airplane was almost on the step when the shoreline jutted out perpendicular to the takeoff run. He attempted to force the airplane into the air by applying flaps, and pulling aft on the control yoke, but the airplane impacted the shore, bounced into the air, and slid across the ground for approximately 100 yards before nosing down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the check airman stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had ensured the pilot understood his instructions, or if he would have discontinued the maneuver before an unsafe condition developed.
Factual narrative
The pilot was demonstrating a confined area takeoff for a part 135 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) competency check from a remote lake in a float equipped airplane. The check airman, seated in the right seat, instructed the pilot to begin his takeoff run 90 degrees from the prevailing wind, and turn into the wind as the airplane accelerated for departure. During the takeoff water run the pilot failed to turn away from the shoreline. The airplane was almost on the step when the shoreline jutted out perpendicular to the takeoff run. He attempted to force the airplane into the air by applying flaps, and pulling aft on the control yoke, but the airplane impacted the shore, bounced into the air, and slid across the ground for approximately 100 yards before nosing down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the check airman stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had ensured the pilot understood his instructions, or if he would have discontinued the maneuver before an unsafe condition developed.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4557F
- Reported as
- Cessna A185E
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 185-1061
- Airframe hours
- 5,630
- Engine
- Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Operator
- Northwestern Aviation Services Inc
- Registered owner
- Northwestern Aviation Services Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · February 1, 2013
- Departed
- Kotzebue, AK
- Destination
- Kotzebue, AK
- Flight plan
- VFR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew · 2
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 62
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Single-engine sea
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- July 28, 2013
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 8,671 total · 600 in this make and model · 8,500 as pilot in command · 63 in the last 90 days · 20 in the last 30 days
- Role
- Check pilot
- Age
- 63
- Injuries
- None
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Airline transport
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine sea, Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- April 17, 2013
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 11,992 total · 3,359 in this make and model · 11,940 as pilot in command · 202 in the last 90 days · 100 in the last 30 days · 5 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 2,400 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 57 °F, dew point 126 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.09 inHg
- Observed at
- PAOT, 8 nm away
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 23, 2013, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 3.3 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N4557F · 3
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.