# NTSB LAX08CA019: Ploof Progressive Aerodyne's Searey, N195LS, Lake Berryessa, CA, October 25, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 25, 2007, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Berryessa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.5666666666667, -122.183333333333
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5667&lon=-122.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA019

## Probable cause

The airplane's encounter with a submerged object during landing in water, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - submerged object (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot conducted a normal approach in the amphibian for landing on Lake Berryessa.  He configured the airplane with the landing gear up and the flaps set down 20 degrees for the water landing.  While decelerating the airplane after landing, he heard a loud noise.  The airplane nosed over and came to rest floating on it's back.  The pilot opined the airplane impacted a submerged object, which caused the airplane to nose over.  The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.  The airplane sustained damage to the hull and right wing.

## Factual narrative

On October 25, 2007, about 1300 Pacific daylight time, an amateur-built Ploof SeaRey, N195LS, nosed over during landing at Lake Berryessa, California.  The pilot/owner was operating the experimental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The sport pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The personal flight departed Yolo County Airport, Davis/Woodland/Winters, California, about 1230, with a planned destination of Lake Berryessa.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot stated he conducted a normal approach for landing on Lake Berryessa.  He configured the airplane with the landing gear up and the flaps set down 20 degrees for the water landing.  While decelerating the airplane after landing, he heard a loud noise.  The airplane nosed over and came to rest floating on its back.  The pilot opined there was a submerged object, which caused the airplane to nose over.  The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.  The airplane sustained damage to the hull and right wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N195LS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N195LS-2009-07-28), registration cancelled 2009-07-28, S/N 1 MK 195, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ploof Progressive Aerodyne's Searey
- Registry model: [Ploof Donald G SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/ploof-donald-g-searey) (registry code 05901DB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1MK195
- Airframe hours: 109
- Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2007
- Departed: 2Q3, Davis/Woodland, CA
- Destination: NONE, Lake Berryessa, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; flight instructor, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 62 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: VCB, 14 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 20071025022979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071025022979A), Oct 25, 2007: Amtr SEAREY, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he was demonstrating his airplane to another sports pilot. He came in for landing on Lake Berryessa and possibly hit something in the…

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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