# NTSB ATL04LA171: Hawkins William Searey, N1209J, Dayton, TN, August 27, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 2004, 20:00 local (Aug 27, 2004, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Dayton, TN - Coordinates: 35.820835, -84.536392 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8208&lon=-84.5364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Nashville FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60258 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04LA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60258/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA171 ## Probable cause The delamination of the fiberglass hull of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - miscellaneous,airframe - delamination (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aircraft control - not possible - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - water - Nose over, landing ## Analysis According to the certified flight instructor, while practicing a series of glassy water landings. On the eight landing while on step the airplane pitched down violently and the airplane flipped over nose first, and came to rest inverted. According to the second pilot, after touchdown on the river, while on the step traveling at approximately 40 mph the nose of the airplane "jerked downward". The airplane then violently pitched down under the water, and the cockpit filled with water. No flight control or mechanical problems were reported by the pilot's prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed that the hull of the airplane was delaminated. The nose of the airplane separated from the airframe assembly. ## Factual narrative On August 26, 2004, at 2000 central daylight time, a William Searey experimental airplane, N1209J, registered to and operated by a private owner, nosed over during a water landing on the Hiawassee River, Dayton, Tennessee. The instructional flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The experimental airplane sustained substantial damage. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Dayton, Tennessee, on August 26, 2004 at 1900. According to the CFI, while they were practicing a series of glassy water landings, and while on the step of the eight landing, the airplane "pitched down violently" and nosed over into the water and sank. According to the private pilot, after touchdown on the river, while on the step traveling at approximately 40 mph, the nose of the airplane "jerked downward". The airplane then violently pitched down under the water, and the cockpit filled with water. No flight control or mechanical problems were reported by the pilot's prior to the accident. The post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the forward section of the nose was missing, and the hull was delaminated. The forward bulkhead and stringers of the hull were made with lumber with multiple knots in the wood, and some evidence of pitch. There was low adhesion of fiberglas to the bulkhead and stringers. Fibers were broken away from the bulkhead and stringers revealing low adhesion to the wood supportive structure. The examination of the fiberglas hull also disclosed evidence of air voids under the bi-directional bonded fiberglas. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the airplane had an annual inspection on June 7, 2004, and had accumulated a total time in service of 143.7 flight hours. The airplane received its special airworthiness certificate on December 17, 1996, and completed its flight test hours on September 21, 1997. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1209J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1209J-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N 1MK127, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hawkins William Searey - Registry model: [Hawkins William C SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/hawkins-william-c-searey) (registry code 05603YL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1MK127 - Airframe hours: 143 - Engines: Aero Engines 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark E. Kenyan - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 2004 - Departed: Dayton, TN - Destination: Dayton, TN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 39; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 12, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 13,180 total, 10 in this make and model, 11,055 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 2, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,181 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,111 as pilot in command, 132 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KTYS, 26 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 20040826023239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040826023239A), Aug 26, 2004: Amtr SEAREY, Dayton, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) Smooth water landing-touch down smooth. The hull fractured at rudder pedal and departed the aircraft. Aircraft flipped, trapping pilots. Both pilots… 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.