Pilot Debrief

ICON AIRCRAFT INC A5 near Key Largo, FL — 2017-04-01

Final reportGAA17CA213
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Date
2017-04-01
Location
Key Largo, FL, USA
Aircraft
ICON AIRCRAFT INC A5
Registration
N672BA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that, during a no-flap water landing, he noticed a higher descent rate than expected. He added that he applied full power to initiate a go-around but that the airplane landed hard on the water. The pilot and passenger egressed the airplane and were rescued without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he believed the airplane encountered "a windshift/shear to a tailwind as [he] transitioned high to low for landing approach toward the [south-southwest]." A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 6 miles west of the accident site reported that, about 17 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 090° at 9 knots.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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  • 2 docket documents
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Docket documents2

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