Summary
On August 04, 2017, a Cessna 180 (N5236D) was involved in an incident near Willow, AK. All 3 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 improper landing flare while landing on water with glassy water conditions, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.
The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, after observing what he thought were ripples on the water, the airplane touched down sooner than he had expected. Subsequently, the left float skipped on the water, the toe of the right float contacted the water, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage and empennage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA475. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5236D.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s improper landing flare while landing on water with glassy water conditions, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, after observing what he thought were ripples on the water, the airplane touched down sooner than he had expected. Subsequently, the left float skipped on the water, the toe of the right float contacted the water, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage and empennage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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# GAA17CA475