Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

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.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

August 8, 2010 · Quest Kodiak 100 · N917CM

Naples, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Naples, ME
Aircraft
Quest Kodiak 100
Tail Number
N917CM
Operator
New England Seaplane
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA10LA408

The airline transport pilot (ATP) was landing at his home lake. After discussing the boat traffic and wind with the commercial pilot, the pilots elected to conduct a crosswind landing in an open area away from the boats. The ATP configured the airplane for a normal water landing and stated that the right float contacted the water first, followed by the left float. The airplane then veered to the left and the ATP applied rudder and aileron to correct. The airplane rolled onto the right float and came to rest inverted. Both pilots reported that the water conditions were rough due to boat traffic. A postaccident examination revealed that both left and right forward float struts were separated at their attachment fittings. Examination of the fittings revealed that they exhibited signatures consistent with ductile overstress, indicating that they likely failed during the accident sequence.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not specified - C

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 8, 2010, about 1415 eastern daylight time, an amphibious Quest Aircraft Kodiak 100, N917CM, was substantially damaged during landing on Brandy Pond (5ME), Naples, Maine. The certificated airline transport pilot (ATP) and commercial pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The purpose of the flight was for the two pilots to take turns practicing for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) practical test for Part 135 certification, which was scheduled to be administered the following week. The commercial pilot flew the first leg from 5ME to Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport (LEW), Lewiston, Maine, where they stopped to fuel the airplane and eat. The ATP then flew for approximately one hour before returning to 5ME. After discussing the boat traffic and winds at 5ME, the pilots elected to conduct a landing to the northwest with a left crosswind. The ATP, who was flying the airplane during the landing, stated that there were many boats on the lake, and though the water was rough from the boat wakes, they were not unaccustomed to operating in such conditions. The ATP configured the airplane for a normal water landing, and stated that the right float contacted the water first, followed by the left float. The airplane then veered to the left and the ATP applied rudder and aileron to correct. The airplane rolled onto the right float, and came to rest inverted. The commercial pilot stated that just prior to touchdown, a gust of wind lifted the left wing. The right float contacted the water, and the airplane suddenly tipped over. She stated that the landing was conducted with a slight crosswind. She believed that the winds on the lake were no more than 3-6 knots, based on her observation of the wave levels, and that the roughness was caused by boat wakes. A witness located on a boat near the airplane's touchdown point captured video footage of the airplane from just prior to touchdown, until after the airplane nosed over. The video depicted the airplane touching down in a level attitude. The left float appeared to rise out of the water shortly after touchdown, and several times after the initial touchdown. Approximately 10 seconds after the initial touchdown, the left float rose completely out of the water, the right wing contacted the water, and the airplane nosed over. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, and right elevator. Both left and right forward float struts were separated at their attachment fittings. The fittings were retained for further examination at the NTSB Materials Laboratory. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The ATP held an airline transport pilot certificate with several type ratings, as well as ratings for airplane multiengine land and airplane single engine sea; and a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single and multiengine, and instrument airplane. He reported 30,000 total hours of flight experience, 18 hours of which were in the accident airplane. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued in May 2010. The commercial pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multiengine land and airplane single engine sea, and a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single engine and instrument airplane. She reported 4,737 total hours of flight experience, 17 hours of which were in the accident airplane, and 2,500 hours of which were in seaplanes. Her most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued in September 2009. Both the ATP and commercial pilot received 10 hours of flight training in the accident airplane subsequent to the float installation. The training included both water and land operations, and was completed on August 2, 2010. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 2009 and registered to the owner in July 2010. It was equipped with a Pratt and Whitney PT6A-34, 750-horsepower turbo-propeller engine, and a Hartzell HC-E4N-3P four-bladed propeller. The airplane had accumulated 54 total flight hours at the time of the accident. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on September 23, 2009. The airplane was manufactured with fixed tricycle landing gear, and received Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval from the FAA for installation of Wipaire Wipline 7000 amphibious floats in June 2010. The float installation was completed on July 30, 2010, and the airplane had accumulated approximately 30 hours of flight time since the installation. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The 1415 weather observation at LEW, located approximately 14 nautical miles northeast of the accident location, included winds from 180 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 14 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 26 degrees C, dew point 12 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of mercury. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The left and right front float attachment fittings were examined at the NTSB Materials Laboratory in November, 2010. The upper part of each fitting was attached to the engine mount. The lower part of each fitting was in the form of a tab approximately .75 inches thick, 1.4 inches wide, and 1.7 inches long. The forward float struts were attached to the fittings by bolts which passed through holes in each tab. Examination revealed that the tabs from both fittings were fractured and separated, and exhibited signatures consistent with ductile overstress. Residual permanent deformation indicated that the tabs from both fittings separated under bending loads, with elongation of the bolt hole on the right side of the tab, and a compression lip at the edges of the upper left side bolt holes. There were no indications of any pre-existing damage or defect such as fatigue cracking or corrosion.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 EDT
Nearest AirportBrandy Pond Seaplane Base (0nm)
Runway Length7200 ft
Runway Width600 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftQuest Kodiak 100
Tail NumberN917CM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNew England Seaplane
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt And Whitney · PT6A-34 · Turboprop · 750
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 65 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt, gusting 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data