CESSNA A185F — Fairbanks, AK, 2022

CESSNA A185F — Fairbanks, AK

1 fatal

Date	October 6, 2022
Location	Fairbanks, AK
Aircraft	CESSNA A185F
Purpose of flight	Personal
Conditions	Day · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrence	Taxi-into takeoff position Nose over/nose down
Pilot age	75
Pilot total time	Unknown
Time in type	Unknown
Fatalities	1

Probable cause

The improperly maintained floats, which allowed water to fill the front compartments and resulted in the airplane nosing over during taxi. Contributing to the fatal injury of the pilot was the improperly secured cargo, which prevented the pilot from egressing the airplane following the nose-over.

NTSB findings

Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Wheel/ski/float-Incorrect service/maintenance

What happened

The pilot of the float-equipped airplane was departing from a pond. He aborted the first attempt and was taxiing back to attempt a second takeoff. Witnesses saw the floats almost fully submerged under the water as the airplane taxied and stated that the pitch attitude of the airplane was unusually nose-low. The pilot reduced engine power and the airplane nosed over. The airplane was not damaged; however, several hundred pounds of unsecured cargo inside the airplane shifted during the nose-over and likely resulted in the pilot’s inability to egress and his subsequent drowning.

During a postaccident examination, two unsealed holes were found under the float bumpers that would have allowed water to enter the front compartment of each float. It is likely that the front compartments in both floats filled with water and resulted in the nose-over during taxi.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.