Summary
On May 24, 2017, a Cessna 208 (N1265U) was involved in an incident near Elfin Cove, AK. All 8 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s failure to recognize the magnitude of the swell size during landing, which resulted in a tail-low hard water landing.
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.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA332. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1265U.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to recognize the magnitude of the swell size during landing, which resulted in a tail-low hard water landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA332