- Date
- March 26, 1994, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place
- Key West, FL
- Injuries
- 4 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N5087RCessna U206G
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 18, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19940326006639A
- Case key
- 37512
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot-in-command to ensure the aircraft was at an adequate altitude above the water before initiating a turn which resulted in the right float contacting the water during the turn and the aircraft cartwheeling.
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.
Analysis
The pilot stated the aircraft performance was sluggish for the weight conditions during the takeoff run and initial climb from a channel. After takeoff the aircraft had a shallow rate of climb and as they approached land they encountered glassy water and a downdraft. As he initiated a right turn to remain over water the right float contacted the water and the aircraft cartwheeled and came to rest inverted in the water.
Factual narrative
On March 26, 1994, about 1045 eastern standard time, a Cessna U206G, N5087R, registered to Key West Seaplane Service, Inc., crashed during takeoff at Key West, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot and three passengers received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated the aircraft felt "sluggish" as it accelerated for takeoff. After liftoff the aircraft continued to feel sluggish. The altimeter read 100 feet and the aircraft had a shallow rate of climb. As they flew near shore they encountered glassy water and a down draft from from being on the leeside of a land fill. A right turn was initiated to remain over water at which time the right float contacted the water and the aircraft cartwheeled and came to rest inverted in the water.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5087R
- Reported as
- Cessna U206G
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- U20606811
- Airframe hours
- 7,799
- Engine
- Continental IO-520-F, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Key West Seaplane Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · February 1, 1994 · 99 hours before
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
- 43
- Certificates
- Airline transport, Flight instructor
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land, Multi-engine sea, Single-engine sea
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 7,500 total · 4,000 in this make and model · 7,000 as pilot in command · 10 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- EYW, 2 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.