# Accident 20020212009319A: Piper PA18135, Winterhaven, FL, February 12, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 12, 2002, 10:10 local time
- Place: Winterhaven, FL
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.0572° N, 81.7567° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0572&lon=-81.7567&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8553C, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8553C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-18-135 (registry code 7101820, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-290 series (registry code 41506, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA18135
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL02LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA047) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020212009319A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) THE PILOT WAS SETTING UP FOR A "GLASSY WATER" APPROACH AND LANDING AT LAKE ELOISE IN WINTER HAVEN, FL. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER (A NON-PILOT), THE PILOT LEVELED OFF PREMATURELY (TOO HIGH), AND THE PLANE STRUCK THE WATER HARD WHILE STILL IN A FLAT ATTITUDE. THE TOES OF THE FLOATS DUG IN PULLING THE PLANE INTO A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE PLANE ROTATED LEFT, AND THE LEFT OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE WING STRUCK THE WATER INITIATING A SEMI-CARTWHEEL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PROPELLER STRUCK; THE LEFT ROTATION CONTINUED, AND THE RIGHT OUTBOARD WING STRUCK THE WATER. THE AIRPLANE THEN RESURFACED AND ASSUMED AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE. ACCORDING TO THE ONLY WITNESS ON THE GROUND, WHO IS A PRIVATE PILOT, THE WATER LANDING LOOKED GOOD. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING HIGH; THE PLANE CONTINUED FORWARD ABOUT 25 YARDS AND LIFTED OFF AGAIN ASSUMING A STEEP, NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE PLANE STALLED; THE LEFT WING DROPPED, AND THE SEMI-CARTWHEEL DESCRIBED ABOVE OCCURRED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY THE PILOT OR PASSENGER. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE CONSISTING OF 1) THE OUTBOARD 30% OF BOTH WINGS DAMAGED;2) BOTH BLADES OF THE PROPELLER BENT REARWARDS; 3) LEFT WING SUPPORT STRUT BOWED; 4) THE FUSELAGE WAS DEFORMED FROM THE CABIN AREA REARWARDS; AND 5) A HOLE ON TOP OF THE FUSELAGE ABOVE THE REAR SEAT IN THE CABIN. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL02LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA047), Feb 12, 2002: Piper PA -18 (N8553C), Winter Haven, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper flare during an attempted landing on water. A factor was glassy water.

## Other reports on N8553C (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19940713030169I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940713030169I), Jul 13, 1994: Piper PA18135 (N8553C), Olathe, KS. Nose gear failed lockdown. Went around. Used manual,still up. Stalls locked it down. Hydraulic power pack failed.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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