Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN G-44A near Beaver Cove, ME — 2025-09-06

Final reportERA25LA341
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Date
2025-09-06
Location
Beaver Cove, ME, USA
Airport
3B1
Aircraft
GRUMMAN G-44A
Registration
N402E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s distraction and failure to monitor the airplane’s flight path, which resulted in controlled flight into a lake.

NTSB narrative

After performing a flyby of nearby event, the pilot of the vintage amphibious airplane flew the airplane out over a lake near the seabase. While maneuvering, he attempted to contact people on the ground utilizing the common traffic advisory frequency he had heard people using earlier in the week. After failing to reach anyone, the pilot set the flight controls for a slow descent. Then he used his mobile phone to send a text message asking a friend for the radio frequency in use, and upon reply, changed the frequency. After setting the phone down, the pilot looked up as the airplane impacted the surface of the lake. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the front fuselage and hull, left wing, and both sponsons. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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