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NTSB Report

July 9, 2006 · Cessna R172K · N736VM

Grand Rapids, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Grand Rapids, MN
Aircraft
Cessna R172K
Tail Number
N736VM
Operator
Russell S Sampson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI06LA212

The float equipped airplane collided with the water and sank while returning to land on a lake that was just used for takeoff. The pilot reported he had trouble gaining altitude during the takeoff and that the surrounding terrain and trees were high. He decided to turn around and land back on the lake. The pilot stated that when he was about 20 feet above the water he pulled off the power too soon and the wind pushed the right wing down. The right float contacted the water first. The airplane then bounced and touched down again in a yaw attitude. The pilot reported the aluminum float attachment brackets on the right float broke and the airplane fell to the right resulting in wing damage. The pilot reported the local winds were from 210 degrees at 23 knots, gusting to 26 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty tailwind that prevailed.

Full Narrative

On July 9, 2006, at 1730 central daylight time, a float equipped Cessna R172K, N736VM, collided with the water and came to rest inverted while turning back to land on the lake that he just departed from in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The airplane was departing at the time of the accident. The pilot reported he had trouble gaining altitude during the takeoff and that the surrounding terrain and trees were high. He decided to make a turn and land back on the lake. The pilot reported the wind kept raising the right wing during the turn. He stated that when he was about 20 feet above the water he pulled off the power too soon and the wind pushed the right wing down. The right float contacted the water first. The airplane then bounced and touched down again in a yaw attitude. The pilot reported the aluminum float attachment brackets on the right float broke and the airplane fell to the right resulting in wing damage. The pilot reported the local winds were from 210 degrees at 23 knots, gusting to 26 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna R172K
Tail NumberN736VM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRussell S Sampson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 23 kt, gusting 26 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data