Pilot Debrief

AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B near Tomahawk Lake, WI — 2017-05-26

Final reportCEN17LA204
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Date
2017-05-26
Location
Tomahawk Lake, WI, USA
Aircraft
AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B
Registration
N71JA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in the airplane’s hard landing and nose over after the water landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a personal flight in the float-equipped airplane and was landing on a lake with the wheels and water rudders up. The pilot stated that the winds were calm to 6 knots and that the water surface exhibited some minor ripples. The landing was made toward the northwest, with the flaps retracted, at a landing speed of 70-80 mph. The pilot did not recall the touchdown. A witness reported seeing the airplane come within 5 ft of the lake surface, then climb to 15 ft above the lake before it descended and touched down on the lake. The witness stated that the airplane nosed over shortly after it touched down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the support struts. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane during the flight. Based on available weather data, the pilot likely landed with a 3-4 kt tailwind. However, the pilot should have been able to adequately respond to the slight tailwind during landing. Given the available information, the pilot likely did not maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in the airplane's hard landing and nose over.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have adjusted seat height for better visibility before landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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