Cessna 208 Caravan, N802TW, registered to Tailwind Air Service LLC and operated by Volo Aviation LLC: Accident occurred July 21, 2017 near Skyport Seaplane Base (6N7), New York

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; New York, New York

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

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N802TW

Location: New York, NY
Accident Number: GAA17CA574
Date & Time: 07/21/2017, 1720 EDT
Registration: N802TW
Aircraft: CESSNA 208
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other
Injuries: 9 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Non-scheduled 

Analysis

The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during a water takeoff, about 50 knots, the airplane encountered boat wake, which caused the airplane to become airborne prematurely. He added that the airplane landed on a swell and became airborne again. During the second touchdown, the airplane struck another swell, and touched down hard. The pilot aborted the takeoff.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.

The director of operations for the company reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 airplane's encounter with boat wake and multiple swells during a water takeoff. 

Findings

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Choppy surface - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff
Miscellaneous/other (Defining event)
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 51, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/01/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/16/2017
Flight Time: 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N802TW
Model/Series: 208 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1999
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 20800300
Landing Gear Type: Emergency Float;
Seats: 10
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/15/2016, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 8360 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 
Engines: 1 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 1909.2 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: P&W
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: PT6A SER
Registered Owner: TAILWIND AIR SERVICE LLC
Rated Power: hp
Operator: VOLO AVIATION INC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Commuter Air Carrier (135)
Operator Does Business As:
Operator Designator Code: XORA 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KJRB, 7 ft msl
Observation Time: 2315 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 220°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 20°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Light and Variable, Variable
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 29.86 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV): 
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: NEW YORK, NY (6N7)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: EAST HAMPTON, NY (HTO)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1720 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Airport Information

Airport: NEW YORK SKYPORTS INC (6N7)
Runway Surface Type: Water
Airport Elevation: 0 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Water--choppy; Water--calm
Runway Used: N
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 10000 ft / 1000 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 8 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 9 None
Latitude, Longitude:  40.734167, -73.972778 (est)