# NTSB ERA14CA190: Progressive Aerodyne Searey LSA, N657G, Tavares, FL, April 10, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 10, 2014, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Tavares, FL - Coordinates: 28.802221, -81.750274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8022&lon=-81.7503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89040 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89040/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89040 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA190 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare resulting in a bounced landing and his delay in performing a go around which resulted in a collision with trees. ## 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: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he positioned his airplane to land in an area on a lake with light ripples. During the landing attempt, the airplane bounced and the pilot attempted to continue the landing instead of immediately initiating a go around. The pilot stated that he then elected to perform a go around; however, there was not enough room to clear the trees at the end of the lake. The airplane subsequently impacted the tree line and came to rest. Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that both wing leading edges and the empennage incurred substantial damage. The pilot did not report any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he positioned his airplane to land in an area on a lake with light ripples. During the landing attempt, the airplane bounced and the pilot attempted to continue the landing instead of immediately initiating a go around. The pilot stated that he then elected to perform a go around; however, there was not enough room to clear the trees at the end of the lake. The airplane subsequently impacted the tree line and came to rest.Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that both wing leading edges and the empennage incurred substantial damage. The pilot did not report any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N657G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N657G-2014-08-06), registration cancelled 2014-08-06, S/N 1004, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PROGRESSIVE AERODYNE INC SEAREY LSA - Registry model: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA](https://openairdocs.org/model/progressive-aerodyne-searey-lsa) (registry code 060009O) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914-series) (registry code 55575, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1004 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 55 - Engines: Rotax 914 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 7, 2014, 55 hours before - Departed: Apopka, FL - Destination: Tavares, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 12,000 total, 12,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: LEE, 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 20140410005059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140410005059A), Apr 10, 2014: Progressive Aerodyne Inc SEAREY LSA, Tavares, FL, Substantial damage. Inspector statement On April 10, 2014 around 11:00 am EST, [privacy data omitted] (PIC) certification # [privacy data omitted] flying a Searey Lsa N657G. Crash… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 10, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89040. 921 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 264 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417613&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum For Record - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 508 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417615&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.