# NTSB CHI93LA295: Gardner SEA RAY, N703SR, Oshkosh, WI, July 31, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1993, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, WI
- Coordinates: 44.060012, -88.539505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0600&lon=-88.5395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15766
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA295
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15766/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA295

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S NOT MAINTAINING PROPER CLIMB RATE. A FACTOR WAS THE ABRUPT CONTROL INTERFERENCE BY THE PASSENGER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water
  - control interference - abrupt, passenger (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE AMPHIBIAN AMATEUR BUILT AIRPLANE SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT GOING TO CLEAR TREES ON TAKEOFF, SO HE INITIATED A LOW LEVEL RIGHT TURN.  WHILE IN THE DESCENDING TURN THE PASSENGER ABRUPTLY MOVED THE CONTROL TO THE RIGHT AND THE RIGHT FLOAT DUG INTO THE WATER AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N703SR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N703SR-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N DK004, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GARDNER SEA RAY
- Registry model: [Gardner Jerry D AMPHIBIAN](https://openairdocs.org/model/gardner-jerry-d-amphibian) (registry code 05623UP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DK004
- Airframe hours: 31
- Engines: HIRTH 2705 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sierra Hotel, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sierra Hotel, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: NONE, Brennand'S Seaplane Base

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 31 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH, 5 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 19930731029599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930731029599A), Jul 31, 1993: Amtr AMPHIBIAN, Oshkosh, WI, Substantial damage. Beleived unable clear trees on water takeoff. Did not abort. Made steep turn to avoid trees. Stall mushed to impact

## Other investigations on N703SR (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 FTW95LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA027), Oct 23, 1994: Gardner SEA REY (N703SR), Hartman, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW THE LANDING CHECKLIST AND RETRACT THE LANDING GEAR FOR A WATER LANDING.

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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