Location: Bettles, AK
Accident Number: GAA17CA474
Date & Time: 07/08/2017, 1400 AKD
Registration: N9664X
Aircraft: CESSNA 210
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Defining Event: Loss of visual reference
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that he overflew a remote airstrip, which was bounded by a lake on the approach end. He added that he circled back to land and that, during final approach, he encountered "glassy water and bright sun." Subsequently, the airplane landed short of the runway in the lake, sunk in more than 500 ft of water, and was not recovered.
The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector who interviewed the pilot reported that he stated that the sun and the reflection off the lake gave him the impression that the airplane was higher than it was.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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 an appropriate glidepath during the approach to the runway over glassy water and in glaring sun conditions.
Findings
Aircraft
Descent/approach/glide path - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Environmental issues
Glassy surface - Effect on personnel
Bright light - Effect on personnel
Factual Information
History of Flight
Approach-VFR pattern final
Loss of visual reference (Defining event)
Loss of control in flight
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed None
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/27/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/31/2017
Flight Time: (Estimated) 5000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 80 hours (Total, this make and model), 4750 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 80 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N9664X
Model/Series: 210 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1962
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 21057964
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/15/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2900 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5550 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: CONT MOTOR
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-470S
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 260 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: NONE
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 21°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting:
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: FAIRBANKS, AK (FAI)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: VFR
Destination: Bettles, AK
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1200 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 67.499444, -151.575833 (est)
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fairbanks, Alaska
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
http://registry.faa.gov/N9664X
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA474
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 08, 2017 in Bettles, AK
Aircraft: CESSNA 210, registration: N9664X
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot reported that he overflew a remote airstrip, which was bounded by a lake on the approach end. He added that he circled back to land, and during final approach he encountered "glassy water and bright sun." Subsequently, the airplane landed short of the runway in the lake and sunk.
The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector who interviewed the pilot, reported that he stated, the sun and the reflection off the lake gave him the impression that the airplane was higher than it was.
The airplane sunk in more than 500 ft. of water and was not recovered.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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