# NTSB FTW04LA187: Saladino Searey, N27VS, Lewisville, TX, July 17, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2004, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Lewisville, TX - Coordinates: 33.018054, -97.116668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0181&lon=-97.1167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59669 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59669/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA187 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during final approach. A contributing factor was the gusty crosswind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The 1,089-hour pilot reported that while on final approach to the west for a water landing, approximately treetop level, the airplane "flipped over to the left" to an inverted attitude. The pilot stated that after applying right rudder and right aileron, the airplane rolled upright just prior to impacting the water in a left low attitude. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the wind was gusty and from the north, approximately 15-20 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2004, at 1500 central daylight time, an amateur built Saladino Searey amphibian single-engine airplane, N27VS, was substantially damaged upon impact with the water following a loss of control while on approach to land on Lake Lewisville, near Lake Dallas, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The cross country flight originated from the Cedar Mills Airport, near Gordonville, Texas, approximately 1300. The 1,089-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that during the flight, he decided to land on the adjacent lake to the Lakeview Airport instead of using the asphalt runway. After selecting a suitable area to land on the water, the pilot selected two notches of flaps and verified that the landing gear was retracted. During final approach to the west, approximately "treetop level, [the airplane] flipped over to the left" to an inverted attitude. The pilot stated that after applying right rudder and right aileron, the airplane rolled upright just prior to impacting the water "in a left low attitude." The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the wind was gusty and from the north, approximately 15-20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27VS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27VS-2005-02-14), registration cancelled 2005-02-14, S/N KM27, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Saladino Searey - Registry model: [Saladino Vince O SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/saladino-vince-o-searey) (registry code 05625WL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: KM27 - Airframe hours: 408 - Engines: Bombardier Rotax 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Pete Salas - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 1, 2004, 26 hours before - Departed: Gordonville, TX - Destination: 30F, Lewisville, TX - Airport: 30F, Lakeview Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 10, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,089 total, 294 in this make and model, 1,089 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °F ## 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 20040717023989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040717023989A), Jul 17, 2004: Amtr SEAREY, Lewisville, TX, Destroyed. (-23) Airman peter salas was PIC of ultralight seaplane N27VS on July 17, 2004. Airman salas had 1 passenger with him, [privacy data omitted] witnesses stated… 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.