Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 23 September 1999
Aircraft Type: Cessna 208 Caravan I
Owner/operator: Air Tindi
Registration Number: C-GATY
Location: Hoar Frost River, NT –
ÿ Canada
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Component Affected: Float strutFloat strut
Category: Accident
A float-equipped aircraft experienced a landing incident due to strong winds and rough water conditions. The front left float strut failed during touchdown, causing the front portion of the float to move into the propeller arc. This resulted in propeller damage and engine shutdown. A local resident brought a boat to the aircraft, and the occupants were de-planned. The aircraft sustained additional damage from wave impacts against the shoreline, leading to a bending failure of the float structure.A float-equipped aircraft experienced a landing incident due to strong winds and rough water conditions. The front left float strut failed during touchdown, causing the front portion of the float to move into the propeller arc. This resulted in propeller damage and engine shutdown. A local resident brought a boat to the aircraft, and the occupants were de-planned. The aircraft sustained additional damage from wave impacts against the shoreline, leading to a bending failure of the float structure.
Description
The pilot of the float-equipped aircraft was landing in strong winds and rough water conditions, with swells estimated at three feet in height. On touchdown and during contact with the third swell, the front left float strut failed, allowing the front portion of the float to move up into the arc of the propeller. The prop cut through the top of the float and the pilot shut down the engine. A local resident brought his boat to the a/c and the occupants were de-planed. The a/c did not sink, but sustained additional damage as the waves bounced it against the rocky shoreline. Initial information indicates that the float structure suffered a bending failure.
Primary Cause
Float strut failure during landing due to strong winds and rough water conditions.Float strut failure during landing due to strong winds and rough water conditions.Share on:
