# NTSB ANC96LA100: Horton Avid Flyer MK IV, N3XP, Tenakee Springs, AK, July 17, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1996, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Tenakee Springs, AK
- Coordinates: 57.790611, -135.17926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.7906&lon=-135.1793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2859
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2859/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA100

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions.  Gusty winds were a factor in the accident.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was landing on a remote lake in a float-equipped homebuilt airplane toward the east in calm wind conditions. After touchdown, the pilot retracted the flaperons, slowed to about 20 miles per hour, and was settling off the float step.  A gust of wind struck the left side of the airplane and tilted the right wing down.  The right wingtip contacted the water and the airplane rolled up onto the front of the right float assembly.  The airplane then nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On July 17, 1996, about 1200 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped 1993 David Horton, Avid Flyer Mark IV, N3XP, crashed during landing on Pavlof Lake, about 9 miles northeast of Tenakee Springs, Alaska.  The homebuilt airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred.  The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported that he was landing toward the east in calm wind conditions.  After touch down, the pilot retracted the flaperons, slowed to about 20 miles per hour, and was settling off the float step.  A gust of wind struck the left side of the airplane and tilted the right wing down.  The right wing tip contacted the water and the airplane rolled up onto the front of the right float assembly.  The airplane then nosed over. The airplane received damage to the right wing tip and ribs.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3XP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3XP-2002-08-14), registration cancelled 2002-08-14, S/N 1309D, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Horton AVID FLYER MK IV (AVID FLYER)
- Registry model: [Horton David A JR AVID FLYER MK IV](https://openairdocs.org/model/horton-david-a-jr-avid-flyer-mk-iv) (registry code 05623LJ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1309D
- Airframe hours: 101
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David A. Horton Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1995, 101 hours before
- Departed: AUKE LAKE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 247 total, 124 in this make and model, 247 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19960717017949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960717017949A), Jul 17, 1996: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Tenakee Springs, AK, Substantial damage. Was hit by crosswind on water landing while coming off the step. Lifted wing. Other wing dug in. Nosed over.

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.