20020404004929A

(.19) On April 4, 2002, about 0934 eastern standard time, an amphibous pelican club pl airplane, built by ultravia aero international, inc., N60980, registered to a private individual, experienced an in-flight loss of control and crashed on a fairway at the seven rivers golf and country club, Crystal River, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the certified flight instructor (CFI) and private-rated student were seriously injured. The flight originated about 0915 from the Crystal River airport, Crystal River, Florida. According to an FAA inspector who examined the airplane at the accident site and talked to the person who called 911 to report the accident to law enforcement, the airplane flew over the witness's house though the engine was not operating. The airplane cleared trees in the witness's back yard then the airplane pitched nose down and impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest inverted and the left seat occupant (airplane owner) was reportedly rescued from the airplane by bystanders. The right seat occupant (CFI) was rescued by fire rescue personnel. Preliminary examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane came to rest approximately 75 feet from the initial touchdown point. Examination of the airplane revealed that the leading edges of both pontoons were displaced nearly symetrical up and aft. Fuel was found in both fuel tanks and in the left carburetor bowl; residual fuel was found in the right carburetor bowl of the single engine. The engine and turbocharger were noted to rotate freely. (-23) aircraft departed cgc r/w 27 @ 09:15 with a planned destination of inverness to practice some water landings & take-offs. The owner of the aircraft, Mr. Goethe was flying the aircraft from the left seat while Mr. Carr, a CFI was in the right seat. Enroute to the inverness area, they experienced a problem with the controllable prop. Pitch system - they could not get the prop. To go into high pitch (low RPM) and elected to return to cgc. On the approach for r/w 27, the engine quit at an altitude of 800 ft. Mr. Carr took over the controls and was unsuccessful in restarting the engine. Within about 30-40 seconds after the engine quit, the aircraft impacted the grou ND with the right wing tip hitting the ground and the aircraft pitched forward onto the front of the floats and then straightened out and rolled over and stopping upside down with the front of the aircraft resting 180 degrees from the direction of flight. Mr. Carr had instructed Mr. Goethe to tighten his belts realizing impact was impending. Mr. Carr also turned off the ignition & shut off the fuel to deter the possibility of a fire. There was no fire - the aircraft sustained heavy impact damage with the right wing being found under the fuselage. Both wing tanks had fuel.