# NTSB ATL99LA003: Auxier Herschel A Jr. SEA REY Amphibian, N54114, Keystone Height, FL, October 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 2, 1998, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Keystone Height, FL - Coordinates: 29.589223, -82.079132 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5892&lon=-82.0791&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44106 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44106/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA003 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to attain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall, and loss of control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - stall (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis According to the pilot, after about nine touch and go landings on Lake Geneva, he noticed the tenth takeoff was sluggish and required more time to get off the water. Once airborne the aircraft began a left bank, and aileron control would not correct for it. The aircraft spiraled left until the left wingtip and nose contacted the water. The pilot stated that he may not have reached minimum control speed before takeoff and stalled the aircraft. Examination of the airplane found no mechanical defects. ## Factual narrative On October 2, 1998, about 1030 Eastern Standard Time an Auxier Herschel A. Jr. Sea Rey Amphibian homebuilt airplane, N54114, collided with water shortly after takeoff at Lake Geneva, in Keystone Heights, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Melrose, Florida, about 0930. According to the pilot, after about nine touch and go landings on Lake Geneva, he noticed the tenth takeoff was sluggish and required more time to get off the water. Once airborne at about 20 to 30 feet above the ground the aircraft began a left turn, and aileron input would not correct for it. The aircraft spiraled left until the left wingtip and nose contacted the water. Just prior to impact the pilot stated that he pulled the throttle back when he realized he had no aileron control to minimize the impact with the water. He estimated the speed at impact at about 40 to 45 miles per hour. According to the FAA Inspector on-scene, the pilot stated to him that he may not have reached minimum control speed before takeoff and stalled the aircraft. Examination of the airplane found no mechanical defects, and the pilot was not certificated for a single engine sea plane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54114](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54114-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 1DK 063, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Auxier Herschel A Jr. SEA REY AMPHIBIAN (SEA REY AM) - Registry model: [Auxier Herschel A JR SEA REY AMPHIBIAN](https://openairdocs.org/model/auxier-herschel-a-jr-sea-rey-amphibian) (registry code 056031N) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1DK063 - Airframe hours: 39 - Engines: Rotax 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Auxier Herschel Ainsworth Jr. - Departed: PVT, MELROSE, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 910 total, 47 in this make and model, 910 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MCO, 25 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 19981002027969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981002027969A), Oct 2, 1998: Amtr SEAREY, Hawthorne, FL, Substantial damage. Acft was taking off on Lake Geneva when it clipped a wing and the wing came off.(-23) PIC doing touch & go on Lake Geneva; after the tenth touch & go PIC and… 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.