# NTSB NYC07CA024: Utva 66 V-51, N5016W, Hilton, NY, November 8, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 8, 2006, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Hilton, NY
- Coordinates: 43.222778, -77.684165
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2228&lon=-77.6842&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64841
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64841/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA024

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in a collision with a dock during takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - other
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot added full power during takeoff from the water, and "everything [was] good."  The pilot lifted the left float, and as the airplane got airborne, the prop "pulled left."  The pilot observed one dock, but didn't see a second dock, which the airplane impacted and then sank.  Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical deficiencies.

## Factual narrative

In a written statement the pilot of the Piper PA-11, reported that he added full power during takeoff from the water, and "everything [was] good."  The pilot lifted the left float, and as the airplane got airborne, the prop "pulled left."  The pilot observed one dock, but didn't see a second dock, which the airplane impacted and then sank.  Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical deficiencies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5016W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5016W-2009-08-27), registration cancelled 2009-08-27, S/N 0837, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: UTVA 66 V-51
- Registry model: [U T V A 66(V-51)](https://openairdocs.org/model/u-t-v-a-66-v-51) (registry code 9570892) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GSO-480-B1J6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-gso-480-b1j6) (registry code 42211, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0837
- Airframe hours: 2587
- Engines: Lycoming 650 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark Gillette
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2006
- Departed: NONE, Greece, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 462 total, 12 in this make and model, 393 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.63 inHg
- Observed at: ROC, 10 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 20061108028179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061108028179A), Nov 8, 2006: Utva UTVA66, Rochester, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) On November 8, 2006 at approximately 1530 EST, a Utva-66 (V-51) single-engine aircraft on floats, registration number N501GW, impacted a dock, while…

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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