ANSV Investigation of Cessna 172N I-PVLC Water Accident on Lake Como

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On 25 June 2005, at 12:00 UTC (14:00 local time), a Cessna 172N seaplane with registration I-PVLC was involved in an accident on Lake Como, near Isola Comacina. The aircraft, a single-engine, four-seat, high-wing, tricycle-gear model built in 1979 by Cessna Aircraft Corp. under the commercial name Skyhawk II/100, was operated by Aero Club Como for a tourism flight. The aircraft had been converted from land to seaplane configuration on 7 March 2005. At the time of the incident, the airframe had 3,140 hours and 25 minutes of flight time, and its 50-hour inspection had been completed the day before. ## Flight and Personnel Information The pilot was a 43-year-old male holding a valid private pilot license (PPL(A)) issued on 24 April 1991, with valid single-engine piston (land) and (sea) ratings. His last class II medical examination was conducted on 17 March 2005. From 1 January 2001 to 25 June 2005, he logged 56 hours and 28 minutes of flight time, including 34 hours and 54 minutes as sole pilot and 21 hours and 34 minutes as co-pilot. In the six weeks preceding the incident, he had 22 hours and 53 minutes as pilot-in-command. ## Sequence of Events After approximately 40 minutes of tourism flight, the aircraft was in the process of landing on Lake Como. About two nautical miles north of Torno, the pilot contacted the local radio station for landing information. Due to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, with winds exceeding 40 knots, the pilot headed toward the northern part of the lake. Instructors from Aero Club Como, flying in the same area, advised via radio that the pilot should make a precautionary landing near Isola Comacina and reach the shore as soon as possible. The seaplane successfully landed near the island under conditions that were not yet fully critical and began the taxiing phase. Within minutes, a violent thunderstorm with hail developed suddenly, creating a rough water surface. The pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. The strong wind first caused the left wing to impact the water surface, resulting in deformation and structural damage, and then caused the seaplane to capsize in the water. The pilot was able to emerge from the cockpit uninjured. ## Meteorological Conditions and Investigation Findings At the time of the incident, weather conditions on Lake Como were deteriorating rapidly, culminating within minutes in a severe thunderstorm with hail and strong winds. The investigation identified the cause of the accident as the pilot's loss of control of the aircraft during the taxiing phase. A significant contributing factor was the weather conditions, which rapidly altered the state of the water surface, catching the pilot off guard during the approach to the shore. No specific safety recommendations were issued due to the circumstances of the event.