# NTSB MIA08CA088: William E. Furr SeaRey, N815Z, Winter Springs, FL, April 10, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 10, 2008, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Winter Springs, FL - Coordinates: 28.713333, -81.268058 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7133&lon=-81.2681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67802 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67802/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA088 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Furr William E SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05617PW), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Furr William E SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05617PW), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Empennage structure: horizontal stabilizer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035510): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Inadequate inspection; cases with it: [Furr William E SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035510/cases.md?model=05617PW), [All aircraft, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Furr William E SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=05617PW), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Furr William E SEAREY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05617PW), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane but did not use a checklist. He performed "preflight checks", an "engine run-up" and checked the flight controls before takeoff. During the takeoff run while flying on the step before lifting off, "something let go and all of a sudden the aircraft was upside down." He further stated, "He did a poor job inspecting this aircraft" and he "...overlooked" the missing nut from the right horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed the forward attach point of the right horizontal stabilizer was not secured. The attach nylon lock nut was missing and the bolt which secures the right horizontal stabilizer was backed out of the forward attach point . ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane but did not use a checklist. He performed "preflight checks", an "engine run-up" and checked the flight controls before takeoff. During the takeoff run while flying on the step before lifting off, "something let go and all of a sudden the aircraft was upside down." He further stated, "He did a poor job inspecting this aircraft" and he "...overlooked" the missing nut from the right horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed the forward attach point of the right horizontal stabilizer was not secured. The attach nylon lock nut was missing and the bolt which secures the right horizontal stabilizer was backed out of the forward attach point . ## Aircraft - Registration: [N815Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N815Z-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 1DK044, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: William E. Furr SeaRey - Registry model: [Furr William E SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/furr-william-e-searey) (registry code 05617PW) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: IDK044 - Airframe hours: 251 - Engines: Rotax 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William E. Furr - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 1, 2008, 2 hours before - Departed: Winter Springs, FL - Destination: Polk City, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 343 total, 261 in this make and model, 270 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080410836299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080410836299A), Apr 10, 2008: Amtr SEAREY, Lake Jessup, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] pilot in command and sole occupant of Searey, N815Z, stated that as he initiated a water takeoff from Lake Jessup, seminole… 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.