# NTSB ERA11LA451: Cessna U206F, N8737Q, Arcadia, FL, August 12, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 2011, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Arcadia, FL - Coordinates: 27.219444, -81.838058 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2194&lon=-81.8381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Continental Motors Inc. - NTSB case key (mKey): 81473 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11LA451 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81473/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81473 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA451 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to take off in high density altitude conditions with the airplane over its maximum gross weight, due to the pilot’s improper weight and balance calculations, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to climb or maintain altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft loading event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/010/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna U206F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2073333), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the water takeoff, he used 10 degrees of flaps to get the airplane on "plane." Once the airplane began to climb, he added another 10 degrees of flaps to climb. The airplane climbed to about 400 feet but would not maintain altitude. There was no loss in engine power, and the airplane began to descend. The pilot executed a forced landing into a field, and the airplane collided with trees. After recovery of the airplane, the engine was removed and test run. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal engine operation. A review of the performance chart revealed that the airplane, in a clean configuration and at a maximum gross weight of 3,800 pounds, should have been able to maintain a rate of climb of 600 feet per minute at about 65 knots. The density altitude at the time of the accident was about 2,300 feet. Although the pilot estimated the gross weight was 3,695 pounds, postaccident weight and balance calculations revealed the estimated weight of the airplane at takeoff was 3,855 pounds, which was 55 pounds above the maximum allowable gross weight. High density altitude and increased gross weight both adversely affect an airplane's climb performance. The presence of either or both conditions requires pilot vigilance to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff and climb. Aircraft performance can become marginal in high density altitude conditions, and it may be necessary to reduce aircraft gross weight for safe operations. It is likely that the high density altitude combined with operation over the airplane’s maximum permitted takeoff gross weight resulted in the airplane's inability to climb or maintain altitude. These factors would both reduce the performance of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 2011, at 1440 eastern daylight time, a Cessna U206F, N8737Q, registered to Coastal Aero LLC and operated by Key West Seaplanes, collided with trees during a forced landing in the vicinity of Arcadia, Florida. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and a post-crash fire ensued. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The sightseeing flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and the four passengers were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during the water takeoff he used 10 degrees of flaps to get the airplane on "plane." Once the airplane began to climb, he added another 10 degrees of flaps to climb out. He said that the airplane climbed to approximately 400 feet and would not maintain altitude. He said that the engine rpm remained high but the airplane began to descend. He initiated a forced landing into a wooded area and the airplane collided with trees. The pilot did not report any flight control anomalies prior to the accident. The airplane came to rest in a wooded area. Trees along the crash debris line exhibited evidence of propeller slant cuts. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed the engine assembly was separated from the firewall. The forward cabin area sustained extensive fire damage. Continuity of the flight controls was confirmed from the cabin area aft to all flight control surfaces. The engine was recovered to an authorized repair facility for an engine examination. The engine was started and the throttle was gradually increased to full throttle. The engine produced 2,400 rpm, with manifold pressure at 29 inches, and the oil pressure was at 60 PSI. The engine throttle was reduced to near idle. The throttle was rapidly accelerated to full power twice and the engine performed without any hesitation, stumbling, or interruption in power. After approximately eight and a half minutes of run time, the engine power was reduced to near idle, and the engine idled smoothly until being shut down. There were no anomalies noted during the engine run that would have prevented normal operation. The logbooks were not recovered for review. According to the pilot, the logbooks were in the airplane at the time of the accident and were destroyed in the post crash fire. The airplane had a certificated takeoff gross weight of 3,800 pounds, according to the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) (SA01185CH), with an associated center of gravity between +40.0 to +47.4 inches. Utilizing the most recent weight and balance record, and the weights of the pilot and passengers, 45 gallons of fuel, engine oil, and baggage, the estimated weight of the airplane was at least 3,855 pounds with an associated center of gravity of 45.10 inches. The pilot indicated in a statement that the maximum grossweight of the airplane was 3,800 pounds. He reported that the takeoff weight at the time of the accident was 3,695 pounds, with an associated center of gravity of 44.94 inches. The passenger and baggage weights that the pilot provided were estimated. A review of the supplement flight manual section on weight and balance warns that it is the responsibility of the pilot to ensure that the amphibian is loaded properly. Operation outside of prescribed weight and balance limitations could result in an accident and serious or fatal injury. A review of recorded data from the Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) automated weather observation station revealed that six minutes after the accident, conditions were calm wind, visibility of 10 miles, cloud conditions few at 8,000 feet above ground level, temperature 31 degrees Celsius, dew point 19 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 29.87 inches of mercury. PGD is located about 26 miles northwest of the accident site. The density altitude at the time of the accident was approximately 2,297 feet. Review of the performance chart for an airplane with the same STC modification revealed that the airplane, in a clean configuration at a maximum gross weight of 3,800 pounds, should have been able to maintain a rate of climb of 600 feet per minute at approximately 65 knots. High density altitude and increased gross weight both adversely affect an airplane’s climb performance. The presence of either or both conditions requires pilot vigilance to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff and climb. A review of the Federal Aviation Administration Accident Prevention Program for Density Altitude states that even at lower elevations, aircraft performance can become marginal and it may be necessary to reduce aircraft gross weight for safe operations. Therefore, it is advisable, when performance is in question, to schedule operations during the cool hours of the day, early morning or late afternoon, when forecast temperatures are expected to rise above normal. Early morning and late evening are sometimes more ideal for both departure and arrival. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8737Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8737Q-2012-10-23), registration cancelled 2012-10-23, S/N U20603490, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA U206F - Registry model: [Cessna U206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206f) (registry code 2073333) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: U20603490 - Airframe hours: 2420 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Key West Seaplanes - Registered owner: Coastal Aero LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2011, 1 hours before - Departed: Arcadia, FL - Destination: Arcadia, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 12, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 13,900 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: PGD, 10 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 20110812020739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110812020739A), Aug 12, 2011: Cessna U206F, Arcadia, FL, Destroyed. [privacy data omitted], Pilot in command and holder of air tour operator letter of authorization, landed on the peace river near Arcadia Florida to have lunch… ## Docket (20 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 2, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81473. 6.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 185 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358378&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of conversation passenger -Morehead (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359112&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20conversation%20passenger%20-Morehead-Master.PDF - DeSoto County Sheriff's Office Report (item 3, .PDF, 252 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=DeSoto%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Office%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation-Continental Motors (item 4, .PDF, 986 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Continental%20Motors-Redacted.PDF - N8737Q weight and balance report (item 5, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359161&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=N8737Q%20weight%20and%20balance%20report-Master.PDF - Engine logbook page excerpts (item 6, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359280&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20logbook%20page%20excerpts-Redacted.PDF - Density Altitude Calculation (item 7, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361844&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Density%20Altitude%20Calculation-Master.PDF - U206F Float Equipped Airplane Flight Manual/POH (item 8, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361876&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=U206F%20Float%20Equipped%20Airplane%20Flight%20Manual%2FPOH-Master.PDF - POH Floatplane Excerpts (item 9, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359282&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=POH%20Floatplane%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - Aircraft STC (item 10, .PDF, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359142&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20STC-Master.PDF - FAA Density Altitude Information (item 11, .PDF, 385 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358384&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Density%20Altitude%20Information-Master.PDF - Pilots Weight & Balance Calculations (item 12, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359106&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilots%20Weight%20%26%20Balance%20Calculations-Master.PDF - Corrected Weight and Balance Calculations (item 13, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Corrected%20Weight%20and%20Balance%20Calculations-Master.PDF - Evidence Control Form (item 14, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359114&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-Master.PDF - Retention / Release of Wreckage Form (item 15, .PDF, 189 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Retention%20%2F%20Release%20of%20Wreckage%20Form-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1-courtesy of FAA- Right side view of airplane in trees (item 16, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359119&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-courtesy%20of%20FAA-%20Right%20side%20view%20of%20airplane%20in%20trees-Master.PDF - Photo 2-Courtesy of FAA-Front view of airplane in trees (item 17, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359138&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20in%20trees-Master.PDF - Photo 3-Courtesy of FAA-Front view of airplane in trees propeller and engine (item 18, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359139&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Front%20view%20of%20airplane%20in%20trees%20propeller%20and%20engine-Master.PDF - Photo 4-Courtesy of FAA-Tree trunk propeller strike (item 19, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359140&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204-Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Tree%20trunk%20propeller%20strike-Master.PDF - Photo 5-Courtesy of FAA-Front view of Cockpit and firewall (item 20, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40359141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205-Courtesy%20of%20FAA-Front%20view%20of%20Cockpit%20and%20firewall-Master.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.