# NTSB ERA17LA337: Airmax Construcoes Aeronautica SEAMAX-M22, N885PR, New Fairfield, CT, September 15, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 15, 2017, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: New Fairfield, CT - Coordinates: 41.494445, -73.450553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4944&lon=-73.4506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96099 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA337 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96099/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96099 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA337 ## Probable cause Collision with a submerged object during a water landing. ## 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 · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Airmax Construcoes Aeronautica SEAMAX-M22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md?model=0600047), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Airmax Construcoes Aeronautica SEAMAX-M22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=0600047), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Airmax Construcoes Aeronautica SEAMAX-M22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0600047), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Airmax Construcoes Aeronautica SEAMAX-M22, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600047), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that he performed a fly-by of the lake he intended to land on to ensure that there were no boats or obstacles in the water. Seeing none and observing calm conditions, he conducted the landing, during which the airplane impacted a submerged object. The impact compromised the hull allowing water to enter, and the airplane subsequently sank. Pine and bark debris was found in the damaged area of the hull. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On September 15, 2017, about 1600 eastern daylight time, an Airmax Construccoes Aeronautica Seamax-M22, N885PR, was substantially damaged after a water landing in Candlewood Lake near New Fairfield, Connecticut. The private pilot and passenger were uninjured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The private pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that after a cross-country flight with his son, they arrived at their intended lake destination to conduct a water landing. He reported that he performed a flyby to ensure there were no boats or obstacles in the water where he intended to land. Seeing none, and observing calm conditions, he conducted the landing. After the airplane uneventfully settled onto the water and during the subsequent taxi, they noticed water pouring up from the floor. He attempted to get to the shore, but the water was pouring in fast, so he shut down the engine and evacuated. They were rescued by nearby personnel who were on personal watercraft. The pilot reported there was no mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further stated that the landing and taxi appeared completely normal and nothing was seen or felt floating in the water. He surmised that the airplane may have struck a submerged tree or log. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane after the accident and observed that there was a 9-inch crescent shaped gouge on the hull below the waterline and it was impacted with pine needles and bark. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N885PR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N885PR-2020-07-10), registration cancelled 2020-07-10, S/N 113, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRMAX CONSTRUCOES AERONAUTICA SEAMAX-M22 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Airmax Construcoes Aeronautica SEAMAX-M22](https://openairdocs.org/model/airmax-construcoes-aeronautica-seamax-m22) (registry code 0600047) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 113 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 503.9 - Engines: Rotax 912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Waterbird Holdings LLC - Registered owner: Waterbird Holdings LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 21, 2017 - Departed: FOK, WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY - Destination: NONE, New Fairfield, CT - Airport: NONE, Lake - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,515 total, 16 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: DXR, 6 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 20170915020809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170915020809A), Sep 15, 2017: Airmax Construcoes Aeronautica SEAMAX-M22, New Fairfield, CT, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he performed a normal water landing. After floating in the water on candlewood lake, the aircraft hull started to take on water. The pilot… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96099. 7.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10042896&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilots%206120%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation_FAA and pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10041978&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation_FAA%20and%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Maintenance logbook excerpt (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10034787&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Logbook%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array_accident site and damage (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 891 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10029744&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20and%20Damage%20Photographs-Rel.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.