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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 30, 1995 · Piper PA-18 · N6988B

Bullhead City, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 30, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bullhead City, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-18
Tail Number
N6988B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX96LA031

AFTER LANDING ON GLASSY WATER IN CALM WIND CONDITIONS, THE STUDENT PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE FLOATPLANE AND IT VEERED TOWARD THE SHORELINE. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR MADE AN ABRUPT RUDDER PEDAL INPUT TO AVOID RUNNING AGROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT WATERLOOPED. THE RECENTLY CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR HAD ACQUIRED 14 HOURS OF FLIGHT INSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE, OF WHICH 6 HOURS WERE IN FLOATPLANES. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS MAKING HIS FIRST FLOATPLANE LANDING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot/flight instructor to adequately supervise the student pilot resulting in loss of directional control, and his abrupt overcorrection resulting in a waterloop. A contributing factor was the pilot's limited experience as a flight instructor.

Full Narrative

On October 30, 1995, at 0730 hours mountain standard time, a Piper PA-18 floatplane, N6988B, waterlooped while landing on the Colorado River, 5 miles south of Bullhead City, Arizona. The dual instructional flight was operated by Sheble Riviera Aviation and had departed from the operator's seaplane base at Bullhead City at 0715. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The commercial licensed flight instructor and the private licensed student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight instructor reported that after takeoff the flight proceeded southbound 5 miles to an area where the river is approximately 200 feet wide, and where the operator regularly practices touch-and-go landings. Surface winds were calm and the water was "glassy". The student pilot was in the front seat operating the controls and planned a landing to the south on the river. The instructor reported that "we landed on both floats when suddenly the aircraft veered left and headed for the beach." To avoid running aground, the instructor "stepped on" the right rudder and the aircraft waterlooped to the right, breaking the float fittings and damaging the left wing. Both pilots were operating the flight controls during the waterloop maneuver. The aircraft came to rest near the east shore of the river pointing northward. The recently certificated flight instructor reported 14 hours of dual instruction, including 6 hours in floatplanes. The student pilot was making his first floatplane landing when the accident occurred.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-18
Tail NumberN6988B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data