Cessna TU206G accident near Groveland, California, August 20, 2008
On August 20, 2008 at about 4:15 pm local time, a Cessna TU206G, registered N818CT, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Groveland, California (Cherry Lake airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was retracted prior to the water landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 2008 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Groveland, California · Cherry Lake · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TU206G · all TU206Gs on the register
- Registration
- N818CT · no longer on the register · serial U2060582
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that after takeoff in the amphibious airplane, he retracted the landing gear. The flight to the destination airport was uneventful, and upon arriving at the destination landing area (a lake), he set up for a standard approach, reduced his airspeed to 90 knots, and input 10 degrees of flaps. He said he checked that the landing gear lever was in the up position for the water landing and noted four blue lights indicating that the landing gear was retracted. The pilot stated that in "the black glass water [he] lost depth perception," and stopped the descent to head for the shoreline to set up for a "glass water landing." He further reduced his airspeed another 35 knots and identified a suitable stretch of water near the shoreline to set up for another landing. The pilot reported that about 25 feet above ground level (agl) and 60 knots, he applied the "'three P's' pitch-power-patience, procedure for a glass water landing." The pilot stated that on touchdown the airplane "skipped" to the right, and he corrected back to the left. The airplane then nosed over and sank inverted. Recovery personnel reported that the landing gear were found in the down position, and the circuit breakers for the landing gear system and the landing gear advisory system were in the OPEN positions. The landing gear handle was found in the UP position. An examination and functional check of the Wipaire Wipline 3730 amphibious floats electrical system was performed, which included a check of the airspeed actuated landing gear advisory system and aural warning alarm. Inspection of the landing gear retraction and extension system found no defects. At the conclusion of the testing, no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the landing gear and associated electrical warning system was found.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Landing gear not configured during landing defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surfa › Glassy › Effect on operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear selector › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, recreational
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 862 hours in all; 591 in this make and model; 44 in the last 90 days; 21 in the last 30 days; 729 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 30, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,853 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 21, 2008; 80 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental Motors TSIO-520-M (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: O22 Columbia CA at 3:48 pm
- Destination: Groveland CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from MCE, 50 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.