# NTSB ANC93LA174: Cessna 206, N9707Z, Swikshak Bay, AK, September 12, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 11, 1993, 16:05 local (Sep 12, 1993, 00:05 UTC) - Place: Swikshak Bay, AK - Coordinates: 57.790214, -152.400009 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.7902&lon=-152.4000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 4 minor - Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2426 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA174 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2426/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA174 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - sand bar ## Analysis THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED TWO OTHER AIRPLANES TOOK OFF FROM THE SLOUGH JUST BEFORE HIM. HE WAS THE LAST TO DEPART AND MADE HIS TAKEOFF RUN DOWNSTREAM ON THE SLOUGH. HE LIFTED OFF AT 50 TO 55 KNOTS AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SETTLE JUST AFTER LIFT OFF. THE PILOT STATED HE KNEW THE WATER WAS VERY SHALLOW AND TRIED TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT UNTIL REACHING DEEPER WATER. THE AIRPLANE SETTLED ONTO THE SLOUGH AND THE FLOATS STRUCK A MUD BAR AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE WIND WAS CALM. THE PILOT STATED THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES DURING THE TAKEOFF. THIS WAS A BUSINESS FLIGHT CONDUCTED UNDER 14CFR91 BY A FISHING LODGE. ## Factual narrative On September 11, 1993, at 1605 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N9707Z, registered to and operated by Fishing Unlimited Lodge of Port Alsworth, Alaska, crashed after takeoff and nosed over on a mud bar. The business flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing a slough in Swikshak Bay located on the west side of Sheilikof Straits, and the destination was Port Alsworth. A company flight plan was in effect and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial certificated Pilot-in-Command and three passengers received minor injuries, and one passenger received fatal injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. According to the Pilot-in-Command, he was taking off down river on the slough and there was no perceptible wind on the surface of the slough or the surrounding lakes. He stated he lifted off at 50 to 55 knots and the airplane began to settle shortly after lift off. He attempted to keep the airplane aligned with the channel of the slough so he would not hit a mud bar. The airplane touched down in shallow water, hit a mud bar, and nosed over. The Pilot-in-Command stated that two other company airplanes took off just before. They encountered no problems and each stated the wind was negligible. The airplane crashed in the slough and was resting in very shallow water. The Emergency Locator Antenna was located on the top of the airplane. The antenna broke off when the airplane nosed over. The airplane's radios were immersed in water and would not operate. The passenger who was fatally injured was seated in the rear most seat of the airplane. The distance between the cabin floor and the cabin ceiling decreases rearward through airplane. An NTSB Investigator seated in the rearmost seat had only 2 inches of clearance between the ceiling and the top of his head. The autopsy results showed the passenger received a basilar skull fracture. According to the Pilot-in-Command, he performed CPR on the passenger on three different occasions while simultaneously attempting to radio for assistance. There were three other passengers who received only minor injuries. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9707Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9707Z-2007-09-13), registration cancelled 2007-09-13, S/N U20606617, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 206 - Registry model: [Cessna U206G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206g) (registry code 2073356) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20606617 - Airframe hours: 3545 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Fishing Unlimited - Registered owner: Fishing Unlimited - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1993, 231 hours before - Destination: PORT ALSWORTH, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; military, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,300 total, 200 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F ## 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 19930911033879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930911033879A), Sep 11, 1993: Cessna U206G, Swikshak Bay, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Loaded near gross. Tried takeoff down river no wind. Lifted and settled several times. Hit a mud bar. Nosed over. 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.