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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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August 30, 1995 · Cessna 206 · N120TH

Spokane, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 1995
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Location
Spokane, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 206
Tail Number
N120TH
Operator
Wings of Adventure
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA95LA197

The pilot experienced a longer than expected takeoff run because of difficulty getting the aircraft's floats to lift from the glassy water. After becoming airborne, and while he was attempting to clear a transmission wire near the end of the takeoff area, the aircraft stalled/mushed into the terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while trying to clear a transmission wire. Factors include a transmission wire near the end of the takeoff area and glassy water.

Full Narrative

On August 30, 1995, approximately 1640 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a float-equipped Cessna 206, N120TH, collided with the terrain just after takeoff from a river near Spokane, Washington. The private pilot and the front seat passenger received minor injuries, both rear seat passengers were uninjured, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which was departing the Spokane River for Flathead Lake, Montana, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the FAA inspector who interviewed the pilot at the scene of the accident, the pilot had trouble getting the floats to lift from the glassy water, and therefore experienced a longer than expected takeoff run. After getting airborne, he attempted to clear some power lines in the aircraft's path. During this sequence, the aircraft stalled and impacted the rocky shoreline of the river.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:40 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 206
Tail NumberN120TH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWings of Adventure
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-RCO · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured2
Total4
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data