# NTSB ERA09CA101: Steven G Goonen Searey, N628MS, Polkland, FL, December 20, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 20, 2008, 14:36 local (19:36 UTC)
- Place: Polkland, FL
- Coordinates: 28.525833, -81.661941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5258&lon=-81.6619&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA101

## Probable cause

A loss of control during the initial climb for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Goonen Steven G SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=056044O), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Goonen Steven G SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=056044O), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Goonen Steven G SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056044O), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000); cases with it: [Goonen Steven G SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=056044O), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Goonen Steven G SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056044O), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he taxied out, verified that the amphibian airplane was configured properly, and completed all checklists. The airplane departed normally from the lake, in a southwest direction. While climbing through about 50 feet above ground level, and approaching a tree line surrounding the lake, the airplane began an uncommanded roll to the right. He then applied full aileron and rudder authority; however, he was unable to control the roll. The airplane continued to roll until it impacted the water. The pilot had approximately 220 hours of flight experience in the accident airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no preaccident mechanical problems; the wings and fuselage exhibited signs of impact damage, and flight control continuity was confirmed on all surfaces. Weather observations in the vicinity of the accident site reported winds out of the west and southwest at 10 knots or less. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he taxied out, verified the amphibian airplane was configured properly, and completed all checklists. The airplane departed normally from the lake, in a southwest direction, while climbing through about 50 feet above ground level, and approaching a tree line surrounding the lake, the airplane began an uncommanded roll to the right. He then utilized full aileron and rudder authority however was unable to control the roll. The airplane continued to roll until it impacted the water. The pilot had approximately 220 hours of flight experience in the accident airplane. Post accident examination of the airplane by an inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no pre-accident mechanical problems, the wings and fuselage exhibited signs of impact damage, and flight control continuity was confirmed on all surfaces. Weather observations in the vicinity of the accident site reported winds out of the west and southwest at 10 knots or less. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N628MS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N628MS-2013-02-14), registration cancelled 2013-02-14, S/N 1DK098, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Steven G Goonen Searey
- Registry model: [Goonen Steven G SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/goonen-steven-g-searey) (registry code 056044O) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1DK098
- Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 2008
- Departed: NONE, Polkland, FL
- Destination: NONE, Polkland, FL
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; flight engineer, military, commercial, private, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 13,000 total, 220 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 19 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 20081220853759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081220853759A), Dec 20, 2008: Goonen SEAREY, Oakland, FL, Destroyed. Pilot took off from john’s lake in west orlando on a sw heading and at approx. 100’ the aircraft went into a uncommanded right roll. The pilot attempted to…

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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