# NTSB ERA14CA177: Aviat A 1B, N59AW, Dadeville, AL, March 27, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 27, 2014, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Dadeville, AL - Coordinates: 32.830566, -85.759147 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8306&lon=-85.7591&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88987 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88987/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88987 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA177 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point while landing on a lake with a tailwind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/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: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Aviat A-1B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2210406), [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: [Aviat A-1B, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210406), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amphibian airplane reported that he was attempting to land on a lake with a tailwind. He circled the landing zone once and verified that there was no debris in the water. During the landing flare, the airplane floated beyond the intended touchdown point and was nearing the shore. The pilot initially added power to go-around, but then reduced power when he did not think the airplane would clear the trees near the shoreline. The airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest in the water. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The landing gear was retracted into the floats. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amphibian airplane reported that he was attempting to land on a lake with a tailwind. He circled the landing zone once and verified that there was no debris in the water. During the landing flare, the airplane floated beyond the intended touchdown point and was nearing the shore. The pilot initially added power to go-around, but then reduced power when he did not think the airplane would clear the trees near the shoreline. The airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest in the water. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The landing gear was retracted into the floats. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59AW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59AW-2014-05-23), registration cancelled 2014-05-23, S/N 2058, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A 1B - Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2058 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 608 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Douglas Zeiger - Registered owner: Huskyaire LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 2014, 28 hours before - Departed: AL71, Our Town, AL - Destination: Dadeville, AL - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 247 total, 36 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 7 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: ALX, 9 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 20140327002689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140327002689A), Mar 27, 2014: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1B, Dadeville, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted downwind water landing, pilot added power for go-around, aircraft climb performance was diminished with the prevailing tailwind, pilot cut… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 23, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88987. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411458&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Map of Accident Site (item 2, .PDF, 186 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411459&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%20of%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 3, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Wing%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Interview Summary (item 5, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411479&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-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.