# NTSB CEN14LA492: Campbell Super Bearhawk, Sault Ste Marie, MI, September 4, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 4, 2014, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Sault Ste Marie, MI - Coordinates: 46.480056, -84.360916 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4801&lon=-84.3609&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 10, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; GRR FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90054 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA492 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90054/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90054 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA492 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate flare during landing on water with a glassy condition, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: glassy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [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. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting to land the airplane on a lake and that he misjudged the height of the airplane above the water, which he described as "glassy." During the touchdown, the left float "dug in," and the airplane subsequently nosed over. It is likely that the glassy water conditions adversely affected the pilot's depth perception, which led to his subsequent failure to judge the height above the water. ## Factual narrative On September 4, 2014, about 1230 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Campbell Super Bearhawk, CFBCA, nosed over during landing on Lake George near Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. The recreational pilot was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that was not operating on a flight plan. The flight departed from the Ste Marie River at 1145, and was destined for Lake George near Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. The pilot reported that he was attempting a landing on Lake George when he misjudged the height of the airplane above the water, which he described as glassy. During the touchdown, the left float "dug in" and the airplane nosed over. ## Aircraft - Registration: CFBCA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CAMPBELL SUPER BEARHAWK - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: RNC 469 - Airframe hours: 43.25 - Engines: Continental IO-470E 255 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 28, 2014 - Departed: Sault St. Marie, MI - Destination: Sault St. Marie, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; recreational; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 129 total, 64 in this make and model, 69 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: CIU, 15 nm away ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 27, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90054. 414 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 414 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.