# NTSB ATL98LA123: Vertical Concepts Searey, N39CS, Hiawassee, GA, September 7, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1998, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Hiawassee, GA
- Coordinates: 34.929653, -83.839157 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9297&lon=-83.8392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 22, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA123

## Probable cause

The delamination of the hull that resulted in a nose over during landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing
  - fuselage - delamination (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - fuselage - delamination (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

Prior to the accident, the pilot had been performing touch and go landings on a glassy lake. During the final landing, after touchdown, the seaplane nosed over inverted. When the airplane was retrieved from the lake, according to the pilot, he noted that the fiberglass hull had delaminated. The pilot believed the delamination resulted in the nose over on landing.

## Factual narrative

On September 7, 1998, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Vertical Concepts Inc. SeaRey, N39CS, nosed over on landing on Lake Chatuge, Hiawassee, Georgia.  The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules.  Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident.  No flight plan was filed for this local flight.  The commercial pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The flight originated at 1030 on Lake Chatuge.

According to the pilot, he was doing touch and go landings on the lake.  On the accident landing, after making a normal touchdown, the airplane flipped over.  The pilot stated that when the airplane was removed from the water he noted the delamination of the fiberglass hull and suspected that it caused the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39CS-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 001, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Vertical Concepts Inc. SEAREY
- Registry model: [Vertical Concepts SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/vertical-concepts-searey) (registry code 05604CO) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Unknown, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Airframe hours: 95
- Engines: Rotax 914 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles O. Schobel
- Registered owner: Vertical Concepts Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1998, 29 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 965 total, 860 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 28.00 inHg
- Observed at: GVL, 41 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 19980907034829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980907034829A), Sep 7, 1998: Amtr SEAREY, Lake Chatuge, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that on landing at approximately 50 mph he noticed water at his feet and aircraft flipped over inverted into the water which was approximately 20…

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.

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