# NTSB CEN10LA484: Rammel Thomas W Searey, N452TR, Cokato, MN, August 8, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 2010, 13:03 local (18:03 UTC) - Place: Cokato, MN - Coordinates: 45.107776, -94.16278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1078&lon=-94.1628&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 7, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76998 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA484 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76998/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76998 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA484 ## Probable cause Separation of the composite skin on one of the three propeller blades that resulted in an in-flight vibration, and the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the water while maneuvering to avoid obstacles in preparation for a precautionary landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Propeller system: propeller blade section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Rammel Thomas W SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111/cases.md?model=056234A), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Rammel Thomas W SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=056234A), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Rammel Thomas W SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=056234A), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Rammel Thomas W SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=056234A), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Rammel Thomas W SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056234A), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Rammel Thomas W SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056234A), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff the propeller began making excessive noise and vibration. He reduced the engine power and looked for an area to make a precautionary landing. While the pilot executed a 180-degree turn in an effort to avoid obstacles in his flight path, the airplane decreased in altitude quicker than he anticipated and subsequently impacted the water. The airplane came to rest upright in approximately 3.5 feet of water. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that there was a separation of the composite skin on the forward face of one of the propeller blades. The separation in the skin was located about mid-span and ran the full width (chord) of the blade. The remainder of the blade appeared to be intact. The other two propeller blades appeared to be undamaged. The propeller had accumulated approximately 33 hours time in service at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he conducted a preflight inspection and there was no visible damage to the subject propeller blade. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 2010, about 1303 central daylight time, an amateur-built Searey amphibious airplane, N452TR, piloted by a sport pilot, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with Cokato Lake near Cokato, Minnesota. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot was seriously injured. The local flight departed from the lake shortly before the accident. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff the propeller began making "excessive noise and vibration." The airplane had just crossed the lake shoreline and was approximately 800 feet above ground level at the time. He reduced engine speed and maintained best glide airspeed in order to find a safe location for a precautionary landing. He stated that there were some obstructions in his flight path and he executed a 180-degree turn to avoid them. However, the airplane subsequently "lost too much altitude in the turn and impacted the water." A witness reported that the airplane was proceeding southbound. He noted that the airplane was repeatedly climbing and descending, and the engine sound seemed to be alternating between a higher and lower intensity during those altitude oscillations. The witness stated that the airplane entered a left turn, and as the airplane approached a north heading, the nose dropped and the airplane went straight down impacting the lake. He added that the engine sounded as if it was running during the final descent. The airplane came to rest upright in approximately 3-1/2 feet of water. Weather conditions were reported as clear skies and light winds at the time. The pilot stated that after the accident he observed a separation of the composite skin on the forward face of one of the propeller blades. The separation in the skin was located about mid-span and ran the full width (chord) of the blade. The remainder of the blade, including the blade tip and the fitting at the root of the blade, appeared to be intact. He added that the engine assembly and engine mount appeared undamaged. The engine remained securely attached to the mount. The airplane sustained damage to the hull area and forward/nose structure. The airplane was equipped with an Ivoprop 3-bladed composite propeller assembly. The blade pitch was fixed in-flight, but it was ground adjustable. It was installed new and had accumulated approximately 33 hours time in service. The pilot reported that he conducted a pre-flight inspection and there was no visible damage to the subject propeller blade. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N452TR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N452TR-2013-09-30), registration cancelled 2013-09-30, S/N 1DK152, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RAMMEL THOMAS W SEAREY - Registry model: [Rammel Thomas W SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/rammel-thomas-w-searey) (registry code 056234A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (registry code 55571, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1DK152 - Airframe hours: 33 - Engines: ROTAX 912UL 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 31, 2010 - Departed: Cokato, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review May 8, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 101 total, 33 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: CFE, 14 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 20100808050979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100808050979A), Aug 8, 2010: Rammel Thom SEAREY, Cokato Lake, MN, Destroyed. Pilot was flying over the water for about 1/2 hour.. Mr. Rammel was practicing landings on thewater and after takeoff around 800 ft AGL the aircraft propeller… ## Other investigations on N452TR (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 CHI08CA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA004), Oct 4, 2007: Progressive Aerodyne Searey (N452TR), Cokato, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inadequate flare by the pilot during landing. Contributing factors were the lack of an endorsement by the pilot, the lack of total experience in the type of aircraft by the pilot, and the glassy… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76998. 930 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 851 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337999&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Conversation Record -- Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338382&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-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.