Narrative:
The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during a water landing, he "misread the size of the swell". He added that, immediately after touchdown the airplane jumped a swell, which resulted in a tail low hard landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's failure to recognize the magnitude of the swell size during landing, which resulted in
a tail-low hard water landing. "
Runway mishap
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 24 May 2017 |
| Time: | 08:30 |
| Type: |  Cessna 208 Caravan I |
| Operator: | Alaska Seaplanes |
| Registration: | N1265U |
| MSN: | 20800375 |
| First flight: | 2004 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 2338 |
| Engines: | 1 Honeywell TPE331-12JR |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 8 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Elfin Cove Seaplane Base, AK (ELV) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Juneau International Airport, AK (JNU/PAJN), United States of America |
| Elfin Cove SPB, AK (ELV/PAEL), United States of America |
The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during a water landing, he "misread the size of the swell". He added that, immediately after touchdown the airplane jumped a swell, which resulted in a tail low hard landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot's failure to recognize the magnitude of the swell size during landing, which resulted in
a tail-low hard water landing. "
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Heavy landingRunway mishap
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Juneau International Airport, AK to Elfin Cove SPB, AK as the crow flies is 104 km (65 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Juneau International Airport, AK to Elfin Cove SPB, AK as the crow flies is 104 km (65 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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