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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 2, 1995 · Cessna 208 · N242SS

Craig, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 2, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (8 uninjured)
Location
Craig, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 208
Tail Number
N242SS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA023

THE FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE STRUCK A PARTIALLY SUBMERGED LOG DURING A SALT WATER LANDING. THE PILOT REPORTED HE LOOKED AT THE LANDING SITE PRIOR TO LANDING, BUT HIS VISION WAS RESTRICTED BY SUN GLARE AND A THIN LAYER OF FOG SITTING ON THE WATER'S SURFACE. SHORTLY AFTER THE PILOT REDUCED POWER TO SLOW THE AIRPLANE'S TAXI SPEED, THE RIGHT FLOAT STRUCK A LOG. THE AIRPLANE VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, AND THE LEFT FLOAT STRUT SUBSEQUENTLY COLLAPSED, ALLOWING THE LEFT WING TO STRIKE THE WATER.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE LANDING AREA. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SUN GLARE, THE PARTIALLY SUBMERGED LOG, AND THE SHALLOW FOG LAYER ON THE SURFACE OF THE WATER (LANDING SURFACE).

Full Narrative

On January 2, 1995, at 1035 Alaska standard time, a float equipped Cessna model 208 (Caravan) airplane, N242SS, operated by Taquan Air Service of Ketchikan, Alaska as scheduled flight No. 2, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a partially submerged log during a high speed water taxi from landing at Craig, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot-in-command, and the seven revenue passengers aboard were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight departed Ketchikan at 0955, and the destination was Craig. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was on file. The pilot reported that prior to landing he surveyed the area and thought it safe to perform a landing. He wrote in his report to the NTSB that the bright sunlight and approximately one foot of convection fog covering the water surface were restrictions to his visibility. Just after coming off a step taxi, he said the right float struck a log, which damaged the right float, and caused the airplane to veer to the right. The resultant side loads on the left float caused it to collapse, and the left wing was damaged when it struck the water.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:35 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 208
Tail NumberN242SS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6A-114 · Turboprop · 600
Seats10

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (8 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured8
Total8
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data