Cessna 180A, N5236D: Accident occurred August 03, 2017 in Willow, Alaska

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, 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/N5236D

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA475
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, August 03, 2017 in Willow, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/31/2017
Aircraft: CESSNA 180, registration: N5236D
Injuries: 3 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 of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, after observing what he thought were ripples on the water, the airplane touched down sooner than he had expected. Subsequently, the left float skipped on the water, the right float’s toe contacted the water, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot’s improper landing flare while landing on water with glassy water conditions, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA475
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, August 03, 2017 in Willow, AK
Aircraft: CESSNA 180, registration: N5236D
Injuries: 3 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 of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, after observing what he thought were ripples on the water, the airplane touched down sooner than he had expected. Subsequently, the left float skipped on the water, the toe of the right float contacted the water, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.