No fatalities

6 Jul 2016: CESSNA 180 J — New Durham, NH

New Durham, NH, United States

On 6 Jul 2016, a CESSNA 180 J was involved in an aviation accident near New Durham, NH. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing after encountering a boat wake, which resulted in the airplane veering left, impacting the water's surface, and subsequently becoming submerged. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A float-equipped airplane water-looped and became inverted after encountering a boat wake on landing. The aircraft sustained substantial left wing damage. No mechanical failures were reported.

Sequence of Events

The pilot of a float-equipped airplane reported the following sequence: immediately after touch down on the water, the float plane encountered a boat wake. In response, the aircraft veered sharply to the left, initiated a water-loop, and ultimately became submerged in an inverted position.

Damage Details

In the aftermath of the water-loop, the float plane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot indicated that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine. These systems were reported to have been functioning normally prior to the event.

Potential Wake Source

Regarding the cause of the wake, the pilot reported that it may have been generated by a boat that is used by a local ski school. This wake was the only unusual element mentioned by the pilot as precipitating the water-loop.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilotEffect on operation