# NTSB MIA00LA119: Bair Helicopters Searey, N246DB, Kill Devil Hill, NC, March 26, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 2000, 15:54 local (20:54 UTC) - Place: Kill Devil Hill, NC - Coordinates: 36.009986, -75.66011 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0100&lon=-75.6601&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48873 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48873/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA119 ## Probable cause The inadvertent stall by the pilot-in-command while on final approach resulting in the uncontrolled descent and in-flight collision with water. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot stated that after takeoff he performed one touch-and-go landing on the water where the airplane is based then flew north of there then returned and performed one touch-and-go landing on the water. While turning left base to final for the planned 3rd touch-and-go landing, with 10 degrees of flaps extended, in a 15-20 degree angle of bank, and with the power reduced, the passenger called out that the indicated airspeed was 55 miles per hour. The pilot later reported that he did not monitor the airspeed during the turn. He applied partial power; the engine responded, then lowered the nose. He then applied aft elevator input with no response. The airplane contacted the water while in a left wing low attitude. He further reported that there was no engine or flight control preimpact failure or malfunction and just before impact with the water the flight encountered a wind gust. Postaccident examination of the airplane by one of the co-owners revealed aileron, rudder, and elevator flight control continuity from the cockpit to each control surface. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 2000, about 1554 eastern standard time, a homebuilt amphibious SeaRey, N246DB, registered to Tail Feather LLC, experienced an in-flight loss of control and crashed into Roanoke Sound near Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 1530, from Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The pilot stated that after takeoff he performed one touch-and-go landing on the water where the airplane is based then flew north of there then returned and performed one touch-and-go landing on the water. While turning left base to final for the planned 3rd touch-and-go landing, with 10 degrees of flaps extended, in a 15-20 degree angle of bank, and with the power reduced, the passenger called out that the indicated airspeed was 55 miles per hour. The pilot later reported that he did not monitor the airspeed during the turn. He applied partial power; the engine responded, then lowered the nose. He then applied aft elevator input with no response. The airplane contacted the water while in a left wing low attitude. He further reported that there was no engine or flight control preimpact failure or malfunction and just before impact with the water the flight encountered a wind gust. According to one of the co-owners of the airplane, he verified aileron, rudder, and elevator flight control continuity from the cockpit to each control surface after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N246DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N246DB-2002-02-06), registration cancelled 2002-02-06, S/N 1MK-013, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bair Helicopters, Inc. SEAREY - Registry model: [Bair Helicopters SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/bair-helicopters-searey) (registry code 05625MC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: MK-013 - Airframe hours: 450 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Carl F. Newton, Jr. - Registered owner: Tail Feathers, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 4, 2000, 10 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,600 total, 70 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MQI ## 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 20000326006869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000326006869A), Mar 26, 2000: Amtr SEAREY, Kill Devil Hill, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he was practicing touch and go landings on water when he allowed airspeed to get to low and stalled aircraft. Pilot was unable to recover… 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.