# NTSB MIA89LA191: Grumman G-44, N4453, Pahokee, FL, July 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1989, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Pahokee, FL
- Coordinates: 26.810718, -80.659751 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8107&lon=-80.6598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32456
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32456/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA191

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL, WHILE ON THE WATER, WHICH RESULTED IN A SWERVE AND SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - aircraft handling - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - water loop/swerve - inadvertent (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED 2 T.O.& LDGS WHILE KEEPING THE ACFT ON THE STEP. AFTER THE 3RD LDG, WHILE TRANSITIONING FROM STEP TAXI TO PLOW TAXI, THE PLT STATED HE THOUGHT HE STRUCK A 'MUD BANK.' THIS CAUSED THE RT WING TO BE RAISED TO A POINT WHERE THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT AILERON TO KEEP THE LT FLOAT OUT OF THE WATER. HE STATED THE ACFT VEERED LT, THEN FLIPPED UP-SIDE DOWN IN ABOUT 18 INCHES OF WATER, TEARING OFF A SECTION OF THE RT WING. LOCAL LAW PERSONNEL STATED THE WATER IS ABOUT 18 INCHES DEEP IN ALL DIRECTION FOR OVER A MILE FROM THE CRASH SITE AND THERE ARE NO 'MUD BANKS' OR OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS. HE STATED THERE ARE SOME 'HOLES' WHERE THE DEPTH INCREASES, BUT NO SHALLOWER AREAS. THE PLT STATED THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ACFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4453](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4453-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 31, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-44
- Registry model: [Grumman SCAN TYPE 30](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-scan-type-30) (registry code 3951602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming R680](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680) (registry code 41540, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31
- Airframe hours: 750
- Engines: LYCOMING R-680-13 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rodney N. Matthews
- Registered owner: Fred R. Garrison
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 1988, 25 hours before
- Departed: 3X1, DELRAY BEACH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,200 total, 40 in this make and model, 5,688 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 37 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 19890710021539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890710021539A), Jul 10, 1989: Gulstm G44, Pahokee, FL, Substantial damage. Shallow water landing caused aircraft to flip over. Pilot believes hit a mud bank causing float dip and cartwheel.

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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