# NTSB GAA17CA213: Icon A5, N672BA, Key Largo, FL, April 1, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 1, 2017, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Key Largo, FL - Coordinates: 25.35, -80.300003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.3500&lon=-80.3000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94954 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94954/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94954 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA213 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Icon A5, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=06001A7), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Icon A5, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=06001A7), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Icon A5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=06001A7), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Icon A5, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=06001A7), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Icon A5, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=06001A7), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that, during a no-flap water landing, he noticed a higher descent rate than expected. He added that he applied full power to initiate a go-around but that the airplane landed hard on the water. The pilot and passenger egressed the airplane and were rescued without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he believed the airplane encountered "a windshift/shear to a tailwind as [he] transitioned high to low for landing approach toward the [south-southwest]." A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 6 miles west of the accident site reported that, about 17 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 090° at 9 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that during a no flap water landing, he noticed a higher descent rate than expected. He added that he applied full power to initiate a go-around, but the airplane landed hard on the water. The pilot and passenger egressed the airplane and were rescued without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he believes the airplane encountered "a windshift/shear to a tailwind as [he] transitioned high to low for landing approach toward the [south-southwest]". A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 6 miles to the west of the accident site reported that about 17 minutes before the accident the wind was 090° at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N672BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N672BA-2017-08-25), registration cancelled 2017-08-25, S/N 00010, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ICON AIRCRAFT INC A5 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Icon A5](https://openairdocs.org/model/icon-a5) (registry code 06001A7) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912 IS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912-is-series) (registry code 55593, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 00010 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 129 - Engines: Rotax 912 iS Sport 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Icon Flight Center East, doing business as Icon Aircraft - Registered owner: Icon Aircraft Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 19, 2017 - Departed: 07FA, KEY LARGO, FL - Destination: 07FA, KEY LARGO, FL - Equipment: Stall warning system, Data recorder, Angle of attack indicator, Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 8, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 8,545 total, 175 in this make and model, 4,370 as pilot in command, 166 in the last 90 days, 73 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KHST, 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 20170401003619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170401003619A), Apr 1, 2017: Icon A5, North Key Largo, FL, Substantial damage. While flying with a passenger at Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, pilot set up for a pitch up and 180 degree turn to demonstrate a no flap water… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 9, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94954. 874 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 653 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453020&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 220 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452045&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.