Cessna 207A N2162C accident near Kotlik, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from terrain during cruise flight at low altitude, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water. A contributing factor was the pilot’s diverted attention to adjust the engine power.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he was following a river in level cruise flight at 200 feet above the water. While adjusting the engine power, his attention was temporarily distracted, and the airplane descended and struck the surface of the water. After the collision, the pilot climbed the airplane to 500 feet above ground level and proceeded directly to the nearest airport. Upon landing, the propeller and nose of the airplane struck the ground. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the nose wheel was torn from the airplane during the collision with the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC12CA067 for the full record.