# NTSB GAA17CA474: Cessna 210, N9664X, Bettles, AK, July 8, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 8, 2017, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Bettles, AK - Coordinates: 67.499443, -151.575836 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.4994&lon=-151.5758&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95764 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA474 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95764/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95764 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA474 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate glidepath during the approach to the runway over glassy water and in glaring sun conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: glassy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md) - [Light condition: bright light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 210B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he overflew a remote airstrip, which was bounded by a lake on the approach end. He added that he circled back to land and that, during final approach, he encountered "glassy water and bright sun." Subsequently, the airplane landed short of the runway in the lake, sunk in more than 500 ft of water, and was not recovered. The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector who interviewed the pilot reported that he stated that the sun and the reflection off the lake gave him the impression that the airplane was higher than it was. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he overflew a remote airstrip, which was bounded by a lake on the approach end. He added that he circled back to land, and during final approach he encountered "glassy water and bright sun." Subsequently, the airplane landed short of the runway in the lake and sunk. The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector who interviewed the pilot, reported that he stated, the sun and the reflection off the lake gave him the impression that the airplane was higher than it was. The airplane sunk in more than 500 ft. of water and was not recovered. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9664X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9664X-2018-10-23), registration cancelled 2018-10-23, S/N 21057964, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 210 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 210B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210b) (registry code 2073410) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21057964 - Year built: 1962 - Airframe hours: 5550 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470S 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2017 - Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK - Destination: Bettles, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review May 31, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 80 in this make and model, 4,750 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Observed at: NONE ## 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 20170708011479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170708011479A), Jul 8, 2017: Cessna 210B, Bettles, AK, Destroyed. Pilot took off from Bettles in the Cessna 210 en route to Wild Lake and was alone in the aircraft. The airstrip at Wild Lake is a very small narrow landing… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95764. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457645&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457646&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-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.