# NTSB ANC14CA032: Found Acft Canada FBA 2C2, N602BC, Willow, AK, May 31, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2014, 11:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Willow, AK - Coordinates: 61.746944, -150.059448 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7469&lon=-150.0594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: AAL-ANC FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 89325 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89325/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89325 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA032 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control of the airplane during landing on water due to an encounter with wind shear, which resulted in the airplane's abnormal contact with the surface. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Found Acft Canada FBA-2C2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3640104), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Found Acft Canada FBA-2C2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=3640104), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Found Acft Canada FBA-2C2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=3640104), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Found Acft Canada FBA-2C2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=3640104), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Found Acft Canada FBA-2C2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=3640104), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting an approach to land on water in a float-equipped airplane. He said that, because of the high winds, he conducted the approach at a high airspeed. He stated that, when the airplane was about 50 feet above the surface, it encountered a strong wind shear, and the left wing dropped. The pilot noted that he had never before encountered such a violent wind shear during landing. The pilot applied full power and full aileron but the airplane struck the water with its left float and left side of the tail before he could get it completely level. The airplane bounced, and the pilot then landed without further incident. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the left elevator and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was conducting an approach to land on water in a float-equipped airplane. He said that, because of the high winds, he conducted the approach at a high airspeed. He stated that, when the airplane was about 50 feet above the surface, it encountered a strong wind shear, and the left wing dropped. The pilot noted that he had never before encountered such a violent wind shear during landing. The pilot applied full power and full aileron but the airplane struck the water with its left float and left side of the tail before he could get it completely level. The airplane bounced, and the pilot then landed without further incident. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the left elevator and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N602BC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N602BC), registered now, S/N 105, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FOUND ACFT CANADA INC FBA 2C2 (2) - Registry model: [Found Acft Canada FBA-2C2](https://openairdocs.org/model/found-acft-canada-fba-2c2) (registry code 3640104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-L1C5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-l1c5) (registry code 41782, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 105 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 1195 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-LICS 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2014 - Departed: AK90, WILLOW, AK - Destination: 2X2, Willow, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 2X2, Willow Spb, runway 13W, 3,600 × 400 ft, water - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 9, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,700 total, 1,243 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 30 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: PAWS, 18 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20140531009509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140531009509A), May 31, 2014: Found Acft Canada Inc FBA-2C2, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. On a southbound heading approach to Willow lake , encountering windy conditions from the south, wind conditions increased/became gusty as the aircraft was… ## Other investigations on N602BC (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 DEN07CA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA126), Jul 21, 2007: Found Aircraft Canada FBA-2C2 (N602BC), Crested Butte, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89325. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419941&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.