# NTSB SEA05LA042: Maule M-7-260, N977BE, Port Angeles, WA, February 3, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 3, 2005, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Port Angeles, WA - Coordinates: 48.078056, -123.70861 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0781&lon=-123.7086&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Seattle, Washington - NTSB case key (mKey): 60950 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60950/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA042 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare. Factors contributing to the accident included the pilot's improper approach and the glassy water condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor) ## Analysis The wind was calm and glassy water conditions prevailed as the pilot approached from the east, intending to land on the western half of the lake. Using visual cues and reducing power to increase his rate of descent, the pilot's delayed landing flare resulted in the airplane impacting the water in a nose low attitude. The entire aircraft sustained structural and water damage, with the exception of the empennage and tail section. ## Factual narrative On February 3, 2005, approximately 1000 Pacific standard time, a single-engine Maule M-7-260 amphibian airplane, N977BE, was substantially damaged while attempting to land on Lake Sutherland, located 10 nautical miles west-southwest of Port Angeles, Washington. The certificated commercial pilot and his sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was conducted in accordance with 14 CFR Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the Diamond Point Airstrip, Sequim, Washington, at 0930, with the destination being Lake Sutherland. In a written statement provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that upon arriving over Lake Sutherland the planned approach was to land on the western half of the lake. The pilot stated there was no traffic, no obstructions, the wind was calm, and that "glassy water" conditions existed. The pilot further stated that he proceeded westerly on a left downwind leg to the lake and made a "U-shaped" turn to final just west of the shoreline, with his final approach being on an easterly heading. The pilot related that as he crossed the shoreline he decreased power to increase the descent rate, and utilizing visual cues he was about to add power to level off when the airplane impacted the water. The pilot and his passenger exited the airplane unassisted and without injury. In a written statement the passenger reported, "...the approach appeared normal until we entered a position where the surface of the water could not be distinguished from sky. Approximately two seconds later after reaching this point we impacted the water." The pilot reported that the airplane sustained structural and water damage to the entire aircraft, with the exception of possibly the empennage and tail section. According to Federal Aviation Publication FAA-H-8083-23, "Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook," Chapter 6 - Seaplane Operations, Glassy Water Landing, the proper procedure for conducting a glassy water landing is to, "Always perform glassy water landings with power. Perform a normal approach, but prepare as though intending to land at an altitude well above the surface. This altitude might be 200 feet above the surface. The objective is to have the seaplane ready to contact the water soon after if reaches the target altitude, so at approximately 200 feet above the surface, raise the nose to the altitude normally used for touchdown, and adjust the power to provide a constant descent rate of no more than 150 feet per minute at an airpseed approximately 10 knots above stall speed. Maintain this attitude, airspeed, and rate of descent until the seaplane contacts the water." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N977BE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N977BE-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 26011C, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-7-260 - Registry model: [Maule M-7-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-260) (registry code 5460111) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26011C - Airframe hours: 228 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lawrence E. Reece - Registered owner: Reece Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2004, 32 hours before - Departed: 2WA1, Diamond Point, WA - Destination: CLM, Port Angeles, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 5, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,753 total, 242 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,321 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: CLM, 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 20050203000839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050203000839A), Feb 3, 2005: Maule M7260, Port Angeles, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he had circled the lake several times to check the water conditions and to see if any boats were out on the water. The pilot stated… 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.