# NTSB NYC04CA132: Aviat A-1B, N17MR, Halifax, MA, May 12, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 12, 2004, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Halifax, MA
- Coordinates: 42.008335, -70.841667
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0083&lon=-70.8417&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA132

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate flare during landing, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water.  A factor was the glassy water conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings on a pond.  During an approach to the pond, the pilot noted that the winds were light and variable, which caused glassy water conditions.  Prior to the landing flare, the pilot was having difficulty referencing his height above the water.  Subsequently, the airplane impacted the water nose-low.  The float tips submerged, and the airplane came to rest inverted.

## Factual narrative

On May 12, 2004, about 1030 eastern daylight time, an Aviat A-1B Husky amphibian, N17MR, was substantially damaged while landing on Monponsett Pond, Halifax, Massachusetts.  The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Marshfield Municipal Airport (3B2), Marshfield, Massachusetts.  No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he flew to Monponsett Pond with the intention of practicing takeoffs and landings on the water.  During the approach to the pond, the pilot noted that the winds were light and variable, which caused glassy water conditions.  Prior to the landing flare, the pilot was having difficulty referencing his height above the water.  Subsequently, the airplane impacted the water nose-low.  The float tips submerged, and the airplane came to rest inverted.  The pilot was able to exit the airplane before it sank.

The pilot did not report any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17MR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17MR), registered now, S/N 2215 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aviat A-1B
- Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2215
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marcos Sastre
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3B2, Marshfield, MA
- Destination: MA6, Halifax, MA
- Airport: MA6, Monponsett Pond

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 750 total, 65 in this make and model, 543 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: PYM, 7 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 20040512008119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040512008119A), May 12, 2004: Aviat A1B, Halifax, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) N17MR crashed while attempting to land on lake. Pilot lost his perception and collided with the water, during a water landing. Pilot became disoriented…

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.