# NTSB ERA23LA390: Irwin Jeffrey C Buccaneer Biib, N1206J, Sopchoppy, FL, August 19, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 18, 2023, 20:35 local (Aug 19, 2023, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Sopchoppy, FL · Narrow river
- Coordinates: 30.214535, -84.68216 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2145&lon=-84.6822&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193288
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA390
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193288/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193288
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA390

## Probable cause

The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing.

## 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: [Irwin Jeffrey C BUCCANEER BIIB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05603WH), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Irwin Jeffrey C BUCCANEER BIIB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05603WH), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Irwin Jeffrey C BUCCANEER BIIB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05603WH), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The non-certificated pilot was attempting to land the amphibious airplane on a river. During the landing attempt the airplane bounced, and during the second touchdown the airplane pitched nose down and ultimately nosed over into the water. The airplane subsequently “broke apart” and sank in the river, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. In his initial statement to local law enforcement, the pilot did not state that there were any preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He did not respond to subsequent requests for clarifying information.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1206J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1206J), registered now, S/N BIIBK005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: IRWIN JEFFREY C BUCCANEER BIIB
- Registry model: [Irwin Jeffrey C BUCCANEER BIIB](https://openairdocs.org/model/irwin-jeffrey-c-buccaneer-biib) (registry code 05603WH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul) (registry code 55592, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BIIBK005
- Year built: 2019
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sale Reported
- Registered owner: Sale Reported
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Destination: Same as departure
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; seat: left; restraint: 3-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 20 nm away
- METAR: METAR KTLH 182353Z 16007KT 10SM FEW050 SCT150 32/24 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP124 TCU DSNT SE T03170239 10367 20317 55002=

## 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 20230818017019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230818017019A), Aug 18, 2023: Irwin Jeffrey C BUCCANEER BIIB, Sopchoppy, FL, Substantial damage. PIC was coming in for a landing with his 2019 Buccaneer Biib amphibious amateur built [privacy data omitted] on the ochlockonee river in the vicinity of jack…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 18, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193288. 649 KB in all.

- Police report (item 1, PDF, 4 pages, 388 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17056558&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Police%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memo for record_attempted pilot/owner contact (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17058135&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR_Attempted%20Pilot%20Contact_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17058052&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA23LA390_Photo%20Array-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.

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