# NTSB ERA10CA287: Lepow David A Prgsv Aerdyn SEA REY, N713AC, Chester, PA, May 29, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2010, 11:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Chester, PA
- Coordinates: 39.834445, -75.321945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8344&lon=-75.3219&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76148
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA287
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76148/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76148
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA287

## Probable cause

The airplane’s collision with a submerged object during landing, which resulted in a nose-over.

## Findings

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

- [Object/animal/substance: hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Lepow David A PRGSV AERDYN SEA REY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md?model=05604Q2), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Lepow David A PRGSV AERDYN SEA REY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05604Q2), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Lepow David A PRGSV AERDYN SEA REY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05604Q2), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that the purpose of the flight was to practice glassy water landings in the float-equipped airplane. They overflew the practice area to check the condition of the river and the CFI stated that there were no obstacles or debris visible. Shortly after touchdown, both pilots reported hearing a loud bang and the airplane immediately nosed over. Both pilots exited the submerged airplane and sustained minor injuries. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the wreckage showed damage consistent with striking a submerged object. The airplane incurred substantial damage to its canopy, hull, and tail.

## Factual narrative

The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that the purpose of the flight was to practice glassy water landings. After taking off from Spitfire Aerodrome, 7N7, they flew to the Philadelphia Seaplane Base practice area and overflew the area to check the condition of the river. The CFI stated that there were “no obstacles or debris visible.” Shortly after touchdown, both pilots reported hearing a loud bang, and the airplane immediately nosed over. Both pilots exited the submerged airplane and sustained minor injuries. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector-in-charge, the wreckage showed damage consistent with striking a submerged object and the landing was performed in the correct configuration. The airplane incurred substantial damage to its canopy, hull, and tail.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N713AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N713AC-2014-01-13), registration cancelled 2014-01-13, S/N 1NK143, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LEPOW DAVID A PRGSV AERDYN SEA REY
- Registry model: [Lepow David A PRGSV AERDYN SEA REY](https://openairdocs.org/model/lepow-david-a-prgsv-aerdyn-sea-rey) (registry code 05604Q2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1NK143
- Airframe hours: 260
- Engines: BOMBARDIER ROTAX 912 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Dell Aero Inc
- Registered owner: Dell Aero Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, June 6, 2009
- Departed: Chester, PA
- Destination: Chester, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 65; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 27, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 24,000 total, 2 in this make and model, 18,900 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 30; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 10 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: PHL, 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 20100529005329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100529005329A), May 29, 2010: Lepow David PRGSV AERDY, Logan Township, NJ, Substantial damage. The pilot was approaching for a glassy water landing, when the aircraft hull struck a submerged obstacle, that was unable to be seen from the air. The aircraft…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 17, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76148. 869 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 817 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332373&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Record of Conversation with Federal Aviation Administration Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331109&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector-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.

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