REPUBLIC RC-3 near Cedar Bluff, AL — 2012-09-15

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines during final approach to landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the amphibious airplane departed his home airport and flew to a lake to visit a friend who lived on the shore of the lake. According to the pilot’s friend, the pilot normally approached the lake from the north, made a left 180-degree turn, and then landed to the north. On the day of the accident, however, the wind was calm, and instead of landing to the north, the pilot flew over his friend's house from the west, about 400 feet above ground level, made a left 180-degree turn, and began a descent toward the surface of the lake. During the descent, the airplane contacted a set of electrical transmission lines. During the impact, the airplane's forward motion almost completely stopped, it rolled to the right until it was inverted, then fell to the surface of the lake and sank. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction of the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the electrical transmission lines revealed that they were unmarked where they crossed the lake. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and local witnesses, the lines were hard to see and did not contrast well with the surrounding terrain due to the color of the sky, water, and cloud cover. However, the pilot should have been aware of the lines, because they were depicted on the sectional chart for the area, and he had landed on the lake several times before the accident flight.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Controlled flight into terrain

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have chosen a different landing direction to avoid power lines.

NTSB coding

• Loss of visual reference · Approach
• Attention / Monitoring

Evidence available

• Photos
• 13 docket documents

Docket documents13

• Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15form
• Witness Statements and Interview Summariesinterview
• Maps and Charts of Accident Areaother
• Three View Drawing of Republic RC-3 Seabee - Courtesy of IRSOCother
• Photo 1: Preaccident Photograph of N6072K - Courtesy of IRSOCphotos
• Photo 2: Photograph of Accident Site - Courtesy of FAAphotos
• Photo 3: Photograph of Submerged Main Wreckage - Courtesy of FAAphotos
• Photo 4: Photograph of Recovery of Main Wreckage - Courtesy of FAAphotos
• Photo 5: Close Up Photograph of Main Wreckage - Courtesy of FAAphotos
• Photo 6: Photograph of Damaged Electrical Transmission Lines - Courtesy of FAAphotos
• Photo 7: Photograph of Damaged Electrical Transmission Tower - Courtesy of FAAphotos
• Toxicological Reportreport
• Weather Reports and Records (K4A9 METARs)report

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