# NTSB ERA17CA236: Progressive Aerodyne Searey LSA, N796SR, Lake Ashby, FL, July 8, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 8, 2017, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Lake Ashby, FL - Coordinates: 28.930555, -81.092781 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9306&lon=-81.0928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17CA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95532/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95532 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA236 ## Probable cause The pilot's incorrect configuration of the landing gear for a water landing in an amphibious airplane, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=060009O), [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: [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 The pilot of the special light sport, amphibious airplane stated that he had planned a local personal sightseeing flight, which included departing from an airport, landing on a lake about 20 miles away, then returning to the departure airport. During the approach to landing on the lake, the pilot left the landing gear in the extended position, which was the wrong position for a water landing. Once the airplane touched down on water, it decelerated quickly, nosed over, and then came to rest inverted. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. When the airplane was recovered from the lake, damage was observed on both wings and the fuselage. The landing gear were observed in the extended position, and the landing gear selector was also in the landing gear extended position. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the special light sport amphibian airplane stated that he had planned a local personal sightseeing flight, which included departing from an airport, landing on a lake about 20 miles away, then returning to the departure airport. During the approach to landing on the lake, the pilot left the landing gear in the extended position, which was the wrong position for a water landing. Once the airplane touched down on water, it decelerated quickly, nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. When the airplane was recovered from the lake, substantial damage was observed on both wings and the fuselage. The landing gear was observed in the extended position and the landing gear selector was also in the landing gear extended position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N796SR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N796SR-2018-12-28), registration cancelled 2018-12-28, S/N 1060 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PROGRESSIVE AERODYNE INC SEAREY LSA (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA](https://openairdocs.org/model/progressive-aerodyne-searey-lsa) (registry code 060009O) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1060 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 20 - Engines: Rotax 914UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Departed: 7FL6, Port Orange, FL - Destination: Lake Ashby, FL - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2016; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,900 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: SFB, 13 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 20170708009029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170708009029A), Jul 8, 2017: Progressive Aerodyne Inc SEAREY LSA, Lake Ashby, FL, Substantial damage. The amphibious acft flipped over during a ldg on Lake Ashby with the ldg gear extended. The PIC sustained minor injuries while the pax sustained serious… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95532. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454320&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454319&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of Florida Aircraft Salvage and Transport) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 336 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454318&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Florida%20Aircraft%20Salvage%20and%20Transport)-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.