# NTSB GAA16CA524: Van Hoomissen Gerald J Murphy Elite, N567AK, Nordman, ID, September 9, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 9, 2016, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Nordman, ID - Coordinates: 48.576389, -116.871948 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5764&lon=-116.8719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94155 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA524 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94155/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94155 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA524 ## Probable cause The floatplane pilot's improper landing flare during landing on choppy water with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to determine the wind direction before landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Van Hoomissen Gerald J MURPHY ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05610VZ), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Van Hoomissen Gerald J MURPHY ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05610VZ), [All aircraft, 1,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Van Hoomissen Gerald J MURPHY ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=05610VZ), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: choppy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Van Hoomissen Gerald J MURPHY ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030/cases.md?model=05610VZ), [All aircraft, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Van Hoomissen Gerald J MURPHY ELITE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05610VZ), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amphibious float-equipped airplane reported that during the touchdown to the north on choppy lake waters the airplane nosed over. The pilot further reported that when he and the passenger egressed from the cockpit and climbed onto the floats he noticed that the wind was 5-7 miles per hour (mph) from the south. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation that the pilot should get a "better read of the wind direction" prior to landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amphibious float-equipped airplane reported that during the touchdown to the north on choppy lake waters the airplane nosed over. The pilot further reported that when he and the passenger egressed from the cockpit and climbed onto the floats he noticed that the wind was 5-7 miles per hour (mph) from the south. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation that the pilot should get a "better read of the wind direction" prior to landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N567AK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N567AK-2017-02-14), registration cancelled 2017-02-14, S/N 612E (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: VAN HOOMISSEN GERALD J MURPHY ELITE (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Van Hoomissen Gerald J MURPHY ELITE](https://openairdocs.org/model/van-hoomissen-gerald-j-murphy-elite) (registry code 05610VZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 612E - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 186.7 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 2015 - Departed: DEW, DEER PARK, WA - Destination: Nordman, ID - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 23, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,027 total, 63 in this make and model, 929 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: KSZT, 21 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 20160909017079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160909017079A), Sep 9, 2016: Van Hoomissen Gerald J MURPHY ELITE, Nordman, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot departed kdew in N567AK with one passenger on a pleasure flight to upper priest lake. The pilot raised the gear after takeoff and verified that the gear… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94155. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446741&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446742&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.