# NTSB WPR13CA140: Weston SEA-ERA, N226SE, Bellevue, WA, March 4, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 4, 2013, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Bellevue, WA - Coordinates: 47.575279, -122.092224 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5753&lon=-122.0922&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA SEA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86372/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86372 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA140 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control during takeoff on choppy water conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Weston Paul H SEA-ERA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05624OJ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: choppy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Weston Paul H SEA-ERA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030/cases.md?model=05624OJ), [All aircraft, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Weston Paul H SEA-ERA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05624OJ), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Weston Paul H SEA-ERA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=05624OJ), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Weston Paul H SEA-ERA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=05624OJ), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a lake, the airplane started to bounce from wave to wave, and it eventually porpoised. When the pilot reduced power to abort the takeoff, the left wingtip ski struck a wave, and the airplane yawed to the left. The right wing then struck the water, and the airplane abruptly stopped. The fuselage and wing spars were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the wind on the lake at the time of the accident was about 18 knots and that the waves were about 12 to 15 inches high. The pilot reported that the highest waves he had previously encountered in this airplane were 10 to 12 inches high. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff from a lake, the airplane started to bounce from wave to wave and eventually developed into a porpoise. As power was reduced to abort the takeoff, the left wing tip ski struck a wave and the airplane yawed to the left. The right wing then struck the water and the airplane came to an abrupt stop. The fuselage and wing spars were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the wind on the lake at the time of the accident was about 18 knots and the waves were about 12-15 inches high. The pilot reported that prior to this; the largest waves the airplane has encountered were 10-12 inches high. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N226SE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N226SE-2022-08-27), registration cancelled 2022-08-27, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WESTON SEA-ERA - Registry model: [Weston Paul H SEA-ERA](https://openairdocs.org/model/weston-paul-h-sea-era) (registry code 05624OJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 86 - Engines: Jabiru 2200 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Weston Paul H - Registered owner: Weston Paul H - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 10, 2012, 21 hours before - Departed: Bellevue, WA - Destination: Bellevue, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 86; injuries: minor; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: sport pilot; last flight review April 8, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 135 total, 33 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: RNT, 8 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 20130304002279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130304002279A), Mar 4, 2013: Weston Paul H SEA-ERA, West Lake Samma, WA, Substantial damage. On March 4, 2013, N226SE, a pilot in command designed and built experimental seaplane, sustained substantial damage when the pilot in command attempted to… ## Other investigations on N226SE (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR09CA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA310), Jun 24, 2009: Weston SEA-ERA (N226SE), Bellevue, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86372. 841 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 841 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390104&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.