No fatalities

Pilot Misjudges Distance, Floatplane Collides with Shore

Cantwell, AK, United States

On August 9, 2008, a CESSNA 182 operated by Erik D. Miller was involved in an aviation accident near Cantwell, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudged distance while step-taxiing after landing. Factors in the accident were rain showers, wind, and spray from the airplane's propeller. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A floatplane pilot misjudged the distance to the shoreline while step-taxiing, leading to a collision with the bank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. No preaccident mechanical anomalies were reported.

Incident Overview

A float-equipped airplane was involved in an accident after landing on a remote lake. The pilot, while step-taxiing the airplane to shore, misjudged the distance to the shoreline and delayed reducing engine power. This resulted in the floats colliding with the bank, causing substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that no mechanical anomalies were present before the accident. He attributed his misjudgment to wind conditions, rain showers, and water spray from the airplane’s propeller. At the time of the accident, winds were reported from the north at 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots.

Damage Assessment

The collision resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. No other details about damage or injuries were provided in the source.

Contributing Factors

According to the pilot, the combination of wind, rain showers, and propeller-induced water spray contributed to his difficulty in accurately judging the distance to the shoreline.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on operation