TROPIC OCEAN AIRWAYS, LLC.
Also recorded as: TROPIC OCEAN AIRWAYS, LLC., Tropic Ocean Airways LLC
Accident & enforcement record
Events that happened, regardless of the operator's own reporting. Each links to its public source.
NTSB accidents & incidents
Operated by Tropic Ocean Airways LLC (per NTSB report)
The pilot’s failure to retract the wheels of the amphibious airplane on takeoff, which resulted in a nose-over when the airplane landed on water with the wheels extended. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to use appropriate checklists.
FAA enforcement actions
No FAA enforcement actions linked to this operator.
Maintenance disclosure history
Service Difficulty Reports are self-reported maintenance findings. The NUMBER of reports is not a measure of reliability — diligent operators file more, not fewer. These are shown for transparency, not as a negative signal. To verify a report, search its control number at the FAA SDRS site.
Reports span 2013–2023. Most-reported systems: Flight controls (27) — 4; Electrical power (24) — 1; Engine (72) — 1; Exhaust (78) — 1. Most-common natures of condition, as filed: OTHER — 4; ENGINE STOPPAGE; WARNING INDICATION — 1; FALSE WARNING — 1; SMOKE/FUMES/ODORS/SPARKS — 1.
7 reports on file.
Part: CONTROL UNIT — FLUCTUATES (ALTERNATOR) · airframe 4,000 hrs · 4,741 cycles
STANDBY ALTERNATOR SHOWS NO INDICATION WHEN GENERATOR IS ONLINE AND STANDBY POWER SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION. ONCE STANDBY ALTERNATOR IS ONLINE BUT NOT THE PRIMARY POWER SOURCE, THERE IS LARGE ERRONEOUS AMPERAGE FLUCTUATION. ONCE GENERATOR IS TRIPPED, THE ALTERNATOR PICKS UP THE LOAD AND DOES NOT FLUCTUATE.
Part: EXHAUST DUCT — BLOCKED (ENGINE) · airframe 4,789 hrs · 8,109 cycles
SECONDARY EXHAUST DUCT CRACKED AND PARTIALLY BLOCKED EXHAUST DUCT CAUSING EXHAUST GAS TO ENTER CABIN ALONG WITH SMOKE FROM MELTING DEBRIS.. PROBABLE CAUSE COLD WATER ON HOT EXHAUST ( THIS IS A SEAPLANE ) DURING LANDING AND TAKEOFF.
Part: CONTROL CABLE — DAMAGED (RUDDER) · airframe 993 hrs · 1,843 cycles
DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION, RUDDER CABLES CONTACTING STRUCTURE AT BS 213 AND 255. MINOR DAMAGE ON CONTACTED BULKHEADS. MINOR BLENDING ON RUDDER CABLES WHERE THEY CONTACTED BULKHEADS. RUDDER CABLES WERE FOUND TO BE RIGGED CORRECTLY.
Part: CONTROL CABLE — DAMAGED (RUDDER) · airframe 975 hrs · 1,747 cycles
DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, FOUND RUDDER CABLES CONTACTING STRUCTURE AT FUSELAGE STATIONS 213 AND 237. MINOR DAMAGE ON CONTACTED BULKHEADS. MINOR BLENDING ON RUDDER CABLES WHERE THEY CONTACTED BULKHEADS. RUDDER CABLES WERE FOUND TO BE RIGGED CORRECTLY. CONTACTED CESSNA WHO SENT OUT A TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT.
Part: CONTROL CABLE — CHAFED (RUDDER) · airframe 781 hrs · 1,003 cycles
DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION, FOUND RUDDER CABLES CONTACTING STRUCTURE AT FUSELAGE STATIONS 213,246 AND 255. MINOR DAMAGE ON CONTACTED BULKHEADS. MINOR BLENDING ON RUDDER CABLES WHERE THEY CONTACTED BULKHEADS. RUDDER CABLES WERE FOUND TO BE RIGGED CORRECTLY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURE WHO SENT OUT A TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT.
Part: CONTROL CABLE — CHAFED (RUDDER) · airframe 1,195 hrs · 1,209 cycles
DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION, FOUND RUDDER CABLES CONTACTING STRUCTURE AT FUSELAGE STATIONS 213, 237 AND 246. MINOR DAMAGE ON CONTACTED BULKHEADS. MINOR BLENDING ON RUDDER CABLES WHERE THEY CONTACTED BULKHEADS. RUDDER CABLES WERE FOUND TO BE RIGGED CORRECTLY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURE WHO SENT OUT A TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT.
Part: ENGINE — FAILED · airframe 11,828 hrs · 25,142 cycles
DURING CLIMB, ENGINE FAILED. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTED. NO INJURIES REPORTED.
Linked aircraft
| N-number | Make / model | Year | Status | Link basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N115PJ | TEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B | 2017 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N14ED | — | — | Operator named in NTSB report | |
| N21955 | TEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B | 2017 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N339TA | CESSNA 208B | 2015 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N355TA | CESSNA U206F | 1976 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N381TA | TEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B | 2018 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N382TA | TEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B | 2018 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N383TA | TEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B | 2017 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N384TA | TEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B | 2016 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designatorOperator named in NTSB report |
| N388TA | CESSNA 208B | 2014 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N421SX | — | — | Matched by certificate designator | |
| N421SY | TEXTRON AVIATION INC 208B | 2021 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N458WM | — | — | Matched by certificate designator | |
| N501EX | CESSNA 208B | 2013 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
| N861MA | CESSNA 208B | 2000 | Valid Registration | Matched by certificate designator |
Aircraft with earlier records under this certificate
Maintenance and accident records on this page also cover aircraft that are not in this operator's current FAA fleet list. Charter and management fleets change — owners switch management companies, sell, or export aircraft. Where the registry shows what became of a tail, it is noted below.