Investigator In Charge (IIC): Williams, David
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Umailik LLC
Location: Halibut Cove, Alaska
Accident Number: ANC16LA038
Date and Time: July 3, 2016, 17:53 Local
Registration: N6251K
Aircraft: Cessna 206
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision during takeoff/land
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The private pilot was landing an amphibious airplane in the ocean waters of an inland cove. Photographs of the accident sequence showed the water conditions as relatively calm and glassy. The pilot reported that the airplane touched down faster than anticipated and before her intended touchdown point, which subsequently caused the airplane to bounce back into the air. Instead of continuing the landing, she attempted a go-around. As the airplane climbed in a nose-high attitude, she was unable to see over the nose of the airplane and collided with a stand of tall spruce trees. Witnesses stated that after impact, the airplane descended into the water, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during an attempted go-around.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Environmental issues Tree(s) - Ability to respond/compensate
Factual Information
On July 3, 2016, about 1753 Alaska daylight time, an amphibious float-equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N6251K, sustained substantial damage after impacting trees and the tidal ocean waters of Halibut Cove, Alaska, about 11 miles southeast of Homer, Alaska. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, sustained no injuries. The airplane was registered to Umailik LLC, Anchorage, Alaska and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 visual flight rules personal cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed the Homer Airport (HOM) about 1742 destined for Halibut Cove.
A witness described watching the float-equipped airplane as it approached the inland waters of Halibut Cove, and just after the floats contacted the surface of the water, the airplane immediately became airborne again, and it began to climb. When the airplane reached an altitude of about 40 feet above the water, it started a steep left turn and continued climbing until it struck a stand of tall trees. Following the impact, the airplane descended into the waters of Halibut Cove, where good Samaritans came to the aid of the pilot.
An additional witness who was on a tour vessel operating in Halibut Cove at the time of the accident stated that, as the airplane flew towards their tour boat, the airplane subsequently made a slight turn towards the vessel before passing off the right side and impacting trees. The airplane then descended into the water, about 100 feet from the tour boat.
Several photographs were captured by witnesses on the tour vessel and provided to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC). The first two photographs show the airplane about 20 feet above glassy water conditions, in a wings level, flaps extended configuration. The next two photographs show the airplane in a climbing left turn, with a slight water spray trailing from the keel of the left float, followed by a wings level, slightly nose high climb. The airplane's wing flaps remain extended. The last photograph in the sequence shows the airplane impacting a stand of tall spruce tree, which severed the floats, and damaged the left wing's leading edge. At the time of impact with the stand of trees, the airplane's wing flaps appear to be retracted. (An array of accident sequence photos are provided in the NTSB public docket for this accident).
In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB, she reported that during the accident landing, she inadvertently touched down faster than anticipated, and prior to her expected touchdown point, which caused the airplane to bounce. She wrote that instead of trying to salvage the landing, she attempted a go-around. Due to a high nose up attitude during the climb-out, she was unable to see in front of the airplane and subsequently impacted a tree.
The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures that would have precluded normal operation.
According to the NTSB form 6120.1 submitted by the pilot, her last biennial flight review was completed September 15, 2013, in the same make and model as the accident airplane.
The closest weather reporting facility was HOM, about 11 miles northwest of the accident site. At 1753, a HOM METAR reported in part, wind from 260° at 9 knots, gusting to 14 knots; sky condition, broken clouds at 2,600 ft; visibility, 10 statute miles; temperature 61°F, dewpoint 48°F; altimeter setting 29.92 inches of mercury.
History of Flight
Landing-aborted after touchdown
Abnormal runway contact
Landing-aborted after touchdown
Collision during takeoff/land (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 64, Female
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: August 1, 2015
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: September 15, 2013
Flight Time: 700 hours (Total, all aircraft), 670 hours (Total, this make and model), 400 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N6251K
Model/Series: 206
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2008
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: T20608832
Landing Gear Type: Amphibian
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: January 6, 2016 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3800 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TIO-540-AJ1A
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 310 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAHO, 73 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 01:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 291°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 2600 ft AGL
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 9 knots / 14 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / Unknown
Wind Direction: 260°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / Unknown
Altimeter Setting: 29.92 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: HOMER, AK (HOM )
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Halibut Cove, AK
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: HOMER HOM
Runway Surface Type: Water
Airport Elevation: 84 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Water-glassy
Runway Used:
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 59.594444,-151.246948
Alice Rogoff in Unalakleet, Alaska
NTSB Identification: ANC16LA038
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, July 03, 2016 in Halibut Cove, AK
Aircraft: CESSNA 206, registration: N6251K
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On July 3, 2016, about 1753 Alaska daylight time, an amphibious float-equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N6251K, sustained substantial damage after impacting trees and the tidal ocean waters of Halibut Cove, Alaska, about 11 miles southeast of Homer, Alaska. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, sustained no injuries. The airplane was registered to Umailik LLC, Anchorage, Alaska and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 visual flight rules personal cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed the Homer Airport (HOM) about 1742 destined for Halibut Cove.
A witness described watching the float-equipped airplane as it approached the inland waters of Halibut Cove, and just after the floats contacted the surface of the water, the airplane immediately became airborne again, and it began to climb. When the airplane reached an altitude of about 40 feet above the water, it started a steep left turn and continued climbing until it struck a stand of tall trees. Following the impact, the airplane descended into the waters of Halibut Cove, where good Samaritans came to the aid of the pilot.
An additional witness who was on a tour vessel operating in Halibut Cove at the time of the accident stated that, as the airplane flew towards their tour boat, the airplane subsequently made a slight turn towards the vessel before passing off the right side and impacting trees. The airplane then descended into the water, about 100 feet from the tour boat.
Several photographs were captured by witnesses on the tour vessel and provided to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC). The first two photographs show the airplane about 20 feet above glassy water conditions, in a wings level, flaps extended configuration. The next two photographs show the airplane in a climbing left turn, with a slight water spray trailing from the keel of the left float, followed by a wings level, slightly nose high climb. The airplane's wing flaps remain extended. The last photograph in the sequence shows the airplane impacting a stand of tall spruce tree, which severed the floats, and damaged the left wing's leading edge. At the time of impact with the stand of trees, the airplane's wing flaps appear to be retracted. (An array of accident sequence photos are provided in the NTSB public docket for this accident)
In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB, she reported that during the accident landing, she inadvertently touched down faster than anticipated, and prior to her expected touchdown point, which caused the airplane to bounce. She wrote that instead of trying to salvage the landing, she attempted a go-around. Due to a high nose up attitude during the climb-out, she was unable to see in front of the airplane and subsequently impacted a tree.
The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures that would have precluded normal operation.
According to the NTSB form 6120.1 submitted by the pilot, her last biennial flight review was completed September 15, 2013, in the same make and model as the accident airplane.
The closest weather reporting facility was HOM, about 11 miles northwest of the accident site. At 1753, a HOM METAR reported in part, wind from 260° at 9 knots, gusting to 14 knots; sky condition, broken clouds at 2,600 ft; visibility, 10 statute miles; temperature 61°F, dewpoint 48°F; altimeter setting 29.92 inches of mercury.
NTSB Identification: ANC16LA038
14 CFR Part 91: General AviationAccident occurred Sunday, July 03, 2016 in Halibut Cove, AK
Aircraft: CESSNA 206, registration: N6251K
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On July 3, 2016, about 1753 Alaska daylight time, an amphibious float-equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N6251K, sustained substantial damage after impacting trees during an aborted landing in the ocean waters of Halibut Cove, Alaska. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained no injuries. The airplane was registered to Umailik LLC, Anchorage, Alaska and operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed the Homer Airport, Homer, Alaska, about 1742 destined for Halibut Cove.
During a series of telephone interviews with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 4, various witnesses to the accident reported that as the accident airplane approached from the west, it briefly touched down in the calm, glassy waters of Halibut Cove, before becoming airborne again. The witnesses consistently reported that after the airplane began a steep climb to the west, it veered sharply to the left while in a nose high attitude. As the airplane continued climbing in a south-southwest direction, it subsequently struck a large stand of trees on the southern shoreline of Halibut Cove. The witnesses said that during the collision sequence, the airplane's left float was severed, and the airplane immediately descended, nose first, into the waters of Halibut Cove. The airplane subsequently struck the water about 100 feet from a commercial tour vessel that was operating within Halibut Cove.
The pilot was able to free herself from the partially submerged and sinking wreckage, and rescuers were able to reach the airplane just moments after the accident and provide assistance.
The witness's observations were supported by numerous photographs that were subsequently provided to the NTSB IIC.
The closest weather reporting facility is Homer Airport, Homer, Alaska, about 11 miles northwest of the accident site. At 1753, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) from the Homer Airport was reporting in part: wind from 260 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 14 knots; sky condition, broken clouds at 2,600 feet; visibility, 10 statute miles; temperature 61 degrees F, dewpoint 48 degrees F; altimeter, 29.92 inHg.
Publisher Alice Rogoff
Glassy water landings are notoriously difficult. The Federal Aviation Administration devotes a full section of its “Seaplane Ops Guide” to “glassy water,” noting that “the glassy water illusion makes it appear that we’re higher than we actually are, causing us to touch down prematurely.”
A 2015 study done for the FAA says accident rates for non-instrument-rated pilots begin to increase shortly after they get their licenses and increase steadily to a peak at about the 500-hour mark before beginning a steady decline.
Federal Aviation Administration records reflect Alice Rogoff is no longer certified to fly a floatplane although she still holds a license to fly single-engine wheeled aircraft.
A 2015 study done for the FAA says accident rates for non-instrument-rated pilots begin to increase shortly after they get their licenses and increase steadily to a peak at about the 500-hour mark before beginning a steady decline.
Federal Aviation Administration records reflect Alice Rogoff is no longer certified to fly a floatplane although she still holds a license to fly single-engine wheeled aircraft.
As a hazy sun set over the Bering Sea in a blaze of pink glory, a group of weary travelers clustered around a table inside the Twin Dragon, a weather-beaten restaurant on Front Street. It was 15 degrees Fahrenheit outside in Nome, Alaska. Among the diners clad in goose down and fleece was a woman wearing sealskin pants, her sealskin coat with fox fur trim tossed on the back of a nearby chair. She held up a ginger ale.
“Here’s to Suzanna, Marc and Loren and Matt of the Alaska Dispatch,” she said, toasting the reporters and photographers who had been following the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race over frozen rivers and tundra and icy seas.
This was Alice Rogoff, 63, wife of billionaire David Rubenstein and a former Washington business executive turned owner and publisher of Alaska’s largest newspaper. Rogoff had spent nine days piloting her single-engine Cessna 206 from village to village as her reporters covered 70-plus mushers crossing the state.
A Chinese restaurant near the northwest corner of the continent might seem an incongruous setting for a onetime Beltway insider often seen at Kennedy Center galas and nonprofit board meetings. But Rogoff, a petite woman with blond-streaked brown hair, seemed in her element. Since her first visit to Alaska in 2001, the intensely private businesswoman and philanthropist has spent more and more time here, starting an arts foundation, buying a house, earning a pilot’s license to more easily traverse the immense state, purchasing a Web site, establishing an organization to address Arctic Circle issues, then buying the former Anchorage Daily News. Yet for someone who has generated so much news, there has been remarkably little published about her.
Read more here: https://www.washingtonpost.com
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