# NTSB MIA85LA135: Cessna 206, N4944U, Key West, FL, March 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1985, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Key West, FL
- Coordinates: 24.550891, -81.780105 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=24.5509&lon=-81.7801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31380
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31380/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA135

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - landing gear,float assembly - previous damage (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,float assembly - cracked (cause)
  - landing gear,float assembly - leak (cause)
- Nose over, taxi
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER THE ACFT DEPARTED THE SEAPLANE PARKING AREA, THE PLT NOTICED THAT THE LEFT FLOAT WAS TAKING ON WATER. HE INITIATED A TURN BACK TOWARDS THE RAMP AREA & APPLIED FULL POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO REACH SHALLOWER WATER. AS HE APCHD THE PARKING AREA & WAS TURNING THE ACFT OUT OF THE WIND, A COMBINATION OF WIND, WAVE ACTION & FORWARD MOTION CAUSED THE LEFT FLOAT TO DIG IN. THE ACFT THEN NOSED OVER IN ABOUT 4 FT OF WATER. A POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE LEFT FLOAT REVEALED A 1-1/2 INCH TRANSVERSE SPLIT JUST FORWARD OF THE BULKHEAD IN THE LARGEST COMPARTMENT OF THE FLOAT WHICH ALLOWED IT TO TAKE ON WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4944U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 206
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 420605172
- Airframe hours: 26791
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Key West Seaplane Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 1984, 91 hours before
- Departed: DRY TORTUGAS
- Destination: EYW, KEY WEST, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,600 total, 1,503 in this make and model, 193 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EYW

## 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 19850327011259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850327011259A), Mar 27, 1985: Cessna U206G, Key West, FL, Substantial damage. Left float was taking on water during taxi. Attempted return to beach but aircraft nosed over. Split in float.

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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