ATL06CA113

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 208 · Riceboro, GA · July 29, 2006

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
July 29, 2006, 15:14 local (19:14 UTC)
Place
Riceboro, GA
Injuries
6 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N415GACessna 208
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report October 31, 2006
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
College Park FSDO-11
FAA report
20060729017039A
Case key
64215

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to achieve the proper takeoff distance on a short water runway resulting in an in-flight collision with a berm and a marshy area on initial takeoff climb.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with terrain/waterTakeoff - initial climb
Terrain condition - short runway/landing area
Distance - exceededPilot in commandCause
Terrain condition - berm
Terrain condition - swampy

Analysis

The pilot stated that the takeoff area on the lake was 2,200 feet long. He computed the takeoff distance at 1,990 feet. He completed a preflight inspection and engine run up and no anomalies were noted. He water taxied the airplane to the start point and initiated the takeoff by increasing power. The airplane did not rotate at the planned takeoff point so the pilot applied aft pressure on the control yoke. The airplane became airborne and struck a three foot tall berm and collided with the marsh coming to a complete stop. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane and that he failed to attain the proper takeoff point resulting in the collision with the berm on initial takeoff climb.

Factual narrative

On July 29, 2006, at 1514 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 208 amphibian airplane, N415GA, registered to Hampton Island Aviation LLC, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 business flight, collided with a berm on initial take off climb in the vicinity of Riceboro, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage. The commercial pilot and five passengers reported no injuries. The flight was originating from Harvest Lake, Riceboro, Georgia, on July 29, 2006, at 1514.

The pilot stated the take off area on the lake is 2,200 feet long. He computed the take off distance at 1,990 feet. He completed a preflight inspection and engine run up and no anomalies were noted. He water taxied the airplane to the start point and initiated the take off by increasing power. The airplane did not rotate at the planned take off point so the pilot applied aft pressure on the control yoke. The airplane became airborne and struck a three foot tall berm and collided with the marsh coming to a complete stop. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane and that he failed to attain the proper takeoff point resulting in the collision with the berm on initial take off climb.

Aircraft

Registration
N415GA
Reported as
Cessna 208
Category
Airplane
Serial number
20800376
Airframe hours
471.9
Engine
Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114A, 675 lbs thrust, turbo prop
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Business · Part 91
Registered owner
Hampton Island Aviation LLC
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · July 1, 2006 · 1.5 hours before
Departed
Riceboro, GA
Destination
St. Cathrine Is, GA

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

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
31
Injuries
None
Certificates
Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land, Single-engine sea
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Without waivers/limitations
Last flight review
July 1, 2005
Seat
Left
Flight hours
5,008 total · 850 in this make and model · 4,850 as pilot in command · 90 in the last 90 days · 45 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
6 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
93 °F, dew point 70 °F
Altimeter
30.09 inHg
Observed at
KSAV

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.