# NTSB NYC07CA127: Wroblewski Searey, N4801W, Freeport, PA, May 26, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 26, 2007, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Freeport, PA - Coordinates: 40.703887, -79.589447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7039&lon=-79.5894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 65861 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65861/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA127 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a nose over while attempting to land on a river. A factor in this accident was the glassy water landing conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot of the homebuilt Searey amphibious airplane had completed one uneventful landing on a river. The pilot stated that during his second landing, because of the glassy water conditions, he stayed close to the shoreline to better judge the water elevation, and utilized glassy water landing techniques. He further stated that he did not manipulate the landing gear handle after the first landing, and verified that the gear was up prior to the second landing. During touchdown, the airplane nosed over, and partially sank. The windshield fractured, and the airframe was substantially damaged. Examination of the airplane, which included the landing gear system, did not reveal any pre-impact failures. The pilot reported 689 hours of total flight experience, which included 65 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the homebuilt Searey amphibious airplane had completed one uneventful landing on a river. The pilot stated that during his second landing, because of the glassy water conditions, he stayed close to the shoreline to better judge the water elevation, and utilized glassy water landing techniques. He further stated that he did not manipulate the landing gear handle after the first landing, and verified that the gear was up prior to the second landing. During touchdown, the airplane nosed over, and partially sank. The windshield fractured, and the airframe was substantially damaged. The landing gear was observed partially extended by recovery personnel; however, examination of the airplane, which included the landing gear system, did not reveal any pre-impact failures. The pilot reported 689 hours of total flight experience, which included 65 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4801W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4801W-2018-03-05), registration cancelled 2018-03-05, S/N 1DK248, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wroblewski Searey - Registry model: [Wroblewski William A SEAREY](https://openairdocs.org/model/wroblewski-william-a-searey) (registry code 05614T1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax SEE BOMBADIER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-see-bombadier) (registry code 55555, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1DK248 - Airframe hours: 58 - Engines: Rotax 912A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William A. Wroblewski - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, November 1, 2006 - Departed: P37, Freeport, PA - Destination: P37, Freeport, PA - Airport: NONE, Allegheny River ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 689 total, 65 in this make and model, 609 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: BTP, 20 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 20070526015479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070526015479A), May 26, 2007: Amtr SEAREY, Freeport, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Weather at the time of the accident was VFR, wind was calm. N4801W is an experimental amateur built amphibious airplane. The pilot [privacy data… 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.