# NTSB MIA95LA125: Fabre Searay Bombadier, N773G, Orlando, FL, April 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1995, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Coordinates: 28.579734, -81.440727 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5797&lon=-81.4407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37762
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37762/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA125

## Probable cause

THE ABRUPT USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS,BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WHILE TAXIING ON WATER THAT RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE CAPSIZING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - water
  - evasive maneuver - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAXIING AFTER LANDING AND NOTED AN ALLIGATOR TO HIS LEFT. HE STATED HE ABRUPTLY APPLIED AILERON FLIGHT CONTROL INPUT AND THE RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH THE WATER, AND THE AIRPLANE SANK.

## Factual narrative

On April 22, 1995, about 1920 eastern daylight time, a Searey Bombadier, N773G, registered to Pelican Corp., crashed while landing at Lake Eustis, Orlando, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Ghetto Air Park, Orlando, Florida, about 1851, the same day.

The pilot stated that after landing, while water taxiing on Lake Eustis, he saw an alligator to the left of the taxiing path. He raised the left wing to avoid the alligator, which resulted in the right wing hitting the water at a 20-degree angle. The airplane then sank and the pilot exited the airplane without injury, and was rescued by a passing boat within about 5 minutes.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N773G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N773G-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 1DK051, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FABRE SEARAY BOMBADIER (SEARAY BOM)
- Registry model: [Fabre Jean SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/fabre-jean-searey) (registry code 05626MU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1DK051
- Airframe hours: 43
- Engines: ROTAX 912 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jean Fabre
- Registered owner: Pelican Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 320 total, 50 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 24 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 19950422012789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950422012789A), Apr 22, 1995: Amtr SEAREY, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage. Raised a wing during water taxi to avoid a alligator. Other wing hit water causing homebuilt to sink.

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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