# NTSB ANC95LA023: Cessna 208, N242SS, Craig, AK, January 2, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1995, 10:35 local (14:35 UTC)
- Place: Craig, AK
- Coordinates: 55.45956, -132.829803 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.4596&lon=-132.8298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA023

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE LANDING AREA. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SUN GLARE, THE PARTIALLY SUBMERGED LOG, AND THE SHALLOW FOG LAYER ON THE SURFACE OF THE WATER (LANDING SURFACE).

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - object - submerged object (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE STRUCK A PARTIALLY SUBMERGED LOG DURING A SALT WATER LANDING. THE PILOT REPORTED HE LOOKED AT THE  LANDING SITE PRIOR TO LANDING, BUT HIS VISION WAS RESTRICTED BY  SUN GLARE AND A THIN LAYER OF FOG SITTING ON THE WATER'S SURFACE. SHORTLY AFTER THE PILOT REDUCED POWER TO SLOW THE AIRPLANE'S TAXI SPEED, THE RIGHT FLOAT STRUCK A LOG. THE AIRPLANE VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, AND THE LEFT FLOAT STRUT SUBSEQUENTLY COLLAPSED, ALLOWING THE LEFT WING TO STRIKE THE WATER.

## Factual narrative

On January 2, 1995, at 1035 Alaska standard time, a float equipped Cessna model 208 (Caravan) airplane, N242SS, operated by Taquan Air Service of Ketchikan, Alaska as scheduled flight No. 2, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a partially submerged log during a high speed water taxi from landing at Craig, Alaska.  The airline transport certificated pilot-in-command, and the seven revenue passengers aboard were not injured.  The 14 CFR Part 135 flight departed Ketchikan at 0955, and the destination was Craig. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was on file.

The pilot reported that prior to landing he surveyed the area and thought it safe to perform a landing.  He wrote in his report to the NTSB that the bright sunlight and approximately one foot of convection fog covering the water surface were restrictions to his visibility. Just after coming off a step taxi, he said the right float struck a log, which damaged the right float, and caused the airplane to veer to the right.  The resultant side loads on the left float caused it to collapse, and the left wing was damaged when it struck the water.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N242SS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 208
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 00096
- Airframe hours: 4982
- Engines: P&W PT6A-114 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Taquan Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, December 22, 1994, 18 hours before
- Departed: 5KE, KETCHIKAN, AK
- Destination: CGA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,331 total, 100 in this make and model, 4,282 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °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 19950102000059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950102000059A), Jan 2, 1995: Cessna 208, Craig, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a semi submerged log coming off fast water taxi. Veered right collapsed left float. Foot high fog on water.

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.

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