# NTSB ERA14CA209: Cessna T206H, N262ME, Gilford, NH, April 22, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 22, 2014, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Gilford, NH - Coordinates: 43.529415, -71.379646 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5294&lon=-71.3796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89122 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89122/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89122 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA209 ## Probable cause The pilot misjudged the float equipped airplane's altitude while maneuvering above the surface of a lake, which resulted in a float inadvertently contacting the water. Contributing to the accident were the glassy water conditions and pilot's lack of recent experience in amphibious airplanes. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: glassy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: recent experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035/cases.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna T206H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073303), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the float equipped airplane reported that he intended to practice water landings and operations after about 7 months of seaplane inactivity due to winter. He was flying above a lake with glassy water conditions surveying the surface for ice or other hazards when the airplane's floats inadvertently contacted the water "a bit harder" then normal. The pilot elected to reduce engine power and attempted to land; however, the airplane nosed over into the water, and subsequently sank. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. The right float displayed evidence of contact with the propeller and the aft portion of the fuselage, near the empennage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported about 1,400 hours of total flight experience; which included about 50 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. In addition, he reported 21 landings on water during the 12 months that preceded the accident, with the most recent water landing about 7 months prior. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float equipped airplane reported that he intended to practice water landings and operations after about 7 months of seaplane inactivity due to winter. He was flying above a lake with glassy water conditions surveying the surface for ice or other hazards when the airplane's floats inadvertently contacted the water "a bit harder" then normal. The pilot elected to reduce engine power and attempted to land; however, the airplane nosed over into the water, and subsequently sank. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation. The right float displayed evidence of contact with the propeller and the aft portion of the fuselage, near the empennage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported about 1,400 hours of total flight experience; which included about 50 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. In addition, he reported 21 landings on water during the 12 months that preceded the accident, with the most recent water landing about 7 months prior. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N262ME](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N262ME-2014-06-19), registration cancelled 2014-06-19, S/N T20608198, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T206H - Registry model: [Cessna T206H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t206h) (registry code 2073303) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T20608198 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 607 - Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 2014, 5 hours before - Departed: FIT, Fitchburg, MA - Destination: Gilford, NH - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 24, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 1,392 total, 50 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.55 inHg - Observed at: LCI, 1 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 20140422005559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140422005559A), Apr 22, 2014: Cessna T206H, Alton Bay, NH, Substantial damage. Pilot was flying over lake winnipesaukee, NH checking for lake ice-out conditions and decided to perform a touch and go landing. Pilot stated that he misjudged… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 28, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89122. 6.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412788&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Interview Memorandum - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412789&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Memorandum%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Airplane in Water (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Airplane%20in%20Water%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2. Airplane During Recovery (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20Airplane%20During%20Recovery%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3. Aft Fuselage Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412792&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203.%20Aft%20Fuselage%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.