# NTSB ERA15CA010: Toerner Bob SEA REY, N345BT, Tampa, FL, October 6, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 6, 2014, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Coordinates: 27.884166, -82.418334
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8842&lon=-82.4183&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90222
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90222/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90222
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA010

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear after takeoff, which resulted in the landing gear contacting the water while maneuvering at low altitude.

## Findings

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

- [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Toerner Bob SEA REY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=05615RU), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md)
- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Toerner Bob SEA REY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=05615RU), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Toerner Bob SEA REY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05615RU), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Toerner Bob SEA REY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05615RU), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was conducting a demonstration flight with a passenger onboard in the amphibious experimental amateur-built airplane. He reported that after takeoff, while explaining the operational characteristics of the airplane to his passenger, he forgot to raise the airplane's landing gear as was his custom. Later in the flight, while performing a low-altitude slow flight maneuver over water, the landing gear made contact with the water's surface. The airplane subsequently nosed over into the water and came to rest upright, resulting in substantial damage to the windscreen and front deck. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that could have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he was conducting a demonstration flight with a passenger onboard in the amphibious experimental amateur-built airplane. He reported that after takeoff, while explaining the operational characteristics of the airplane to his passenger, he forgot to raise the airplane's landing gear as was his custom. Later in the flight, while performing a low-altitude slow flight maneuver over water, the landing gear made contact with the water's surface. The airplane subsequently nosed over into the water and came to rest upright, resulting in substantial damage to the windscreen and front deck. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that could have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N345BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N345BT-2018-02-13), registration cancelled 2018-02-13, S/N 1DK322C, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TOERNER BOB SEA REY
- Registry model: [Toerner Bob SEA REY](https://openairdocs.org/model/toerner-bob-sea-rey) (registry code 05615RU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1DK322C
- Year built: 2003
- Airframe hours: 546
- Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kerrigan Robert
- Registered owner: Kerrigan Robert
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, January 16, 2014, 546 hours before
- Departed: TPF, TAMPA, FL
- Destination: TPF, TAMPA, FL
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Airframe parachute

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 220 total, 105 in this make and model, 189 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: MCF, 4 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 20141006018829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141006018829A), Oct 6, 2014: Toerner Bob SEA REY, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot in command inadvertantly failed to retract the landing gear prior to descending for a low level manuever near the water. The landing gear stuck the…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 29, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90222. 4.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420370&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- NTSB Statement of Damage (item 2, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420371&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Statement%20of%20Damage-Redacted.PDF
- E-mail Correspondence with Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420372&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=E-mail%20Correspondence%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement to FAA (item 4, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420373&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Report and Record (item 5, .PDF, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report%20and%20Record-Master.PDF
- Photograph #1: View of Airplane in Water (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420375&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%3A%20View%20of%20Airplane%20in%20Water%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A%0D%0A-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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