Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Renton, Washington
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
NTSB Identification: WPR14LA112
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, January 26, 2014 in Stanwood, WA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/24/2014
Aircraft: WEINZIERL SEAREY, registration: N669DT
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The noncertificated pilot reported that, following an uneventful local sightseeing flight, he conducted a low pass over a lake with glassy water conditions; he did not intend to land. The pilot thought the airplane was about 3 or 4 feet above the water when it suddenly skimmed the water’s surface. The pilot pulled up, but the airplane subsequently nosed down into the water, and it became partially submerged. It is likely that the glassy water conditions adversely affected the pilot’s depth perception, which led to his subsequent failure to judge the height above the water and resulted in the inadvertent touchdown. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from water while maneuvering at a low altitude over glassy water conditions, which adversely affected his depth perception.
On January 26, 2014, about 1615 Pacific standard time, an experimental amateur built light sport Weinzierl Searey amphibious airplane, N669DT, was substantially damaged during an inadvertent water landing near Stanwood, Washington. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The non-certified pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight which originated from Arlington, Washington about 1500.
In a written statement and telephone conversation, the pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that following a local sightseeing flight, he intended on conducting a low pass over Lake Goodwin prior to returning to Arlington. The pilot verified the landing gear was in the retracted position and that glassy water conditions were present before he performed a low pass with no intent to perform a landing. The pilot thought that he was about 3 to 4 feet above the water surface when the airplane suddenly skimmed the water surface for about 3 seconds. The pilot pulled up and the nose immediately went into the water. The pilot stated that water immediately began flowing into the cockpit area. The pilot added that the airplane was partially submerged about 3 to 5 seconds later.
The NTSB IIC reviewed postaccident photos taken by a private individual about an hour after the accident occurred. The photos revealed that a majority of the bottom side of the hull was separated. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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At 4:21 this afternoon calls were made to 911 calls reporting a plane crash in Lake Goodwin, which is located south of Stanwood. Reports indicated two people were onboard.Both people were in the water a short period of time before being picked up by a resident and taken to shore.
Both people were checked by medical personnel from Marysville FD and found to be shaken up, cold, and wet but no injuries.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Marine Services Unit is working with the FAA, Washington Department of Ecology, and Washington Fish and Wildlife to investigate the cause and mitigate any potential environment issues.
The pilot is a 51 year old male, from the Seattle, area. We are not releasing any names or personal information until the pilot has been able to speak with his family and investigators.
The aircraft involved is described as a “2007 Searey” floatplane with a boat hull.
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LAKE GOODWIN — Two people on board a small plane that crashed into the water in Lake Goodwin on Sunday escaped without injury, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
The accident was reported at 4:21 p.m., said Lt. R.C. Rochon of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. Both people were in the water for a short time before they were picked up by a nearby resident in a boat and taken to shore, he said. The pilot was a 51-year-old Seattle man, Rochon said. No information was released about the passenger.
Both were checked by medics from the Marysville Fire Department and found to be shaken up, wet and cold but unhurt.
The plane was a 2007 Searey, Rochon said.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Marine Services Unit is working with state and federal agencies to investigate the cause of the accident and determine if there was any environmental damage, Rochon said.
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