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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

July 4, 1998 · Champion 7GCG · N9985Y

Neavitt, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 1998
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Neavitt, MD
Aircraft
Champion 7GCG
Tail Number
N9985Y
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC98LA141

The pilot positioned the airplane for a water departure, and advanced the throttle. The airplane then accelerated normally, and became airborne about 60 mph. When the airplane broke the water it pulled to the right. The pilot said he thought this was normal because on most water departures one float will come off the water first causing a slight turn in the opposite direction. However, in this case the turn to the right continued. The pilot tried to stop the turn with left stick, and left rudder but found them ineffective. The airplane then struck the water, right float and right wing first, flipped over, and came to rest inverted. Both the pilot and passenger had life-vests on, and exited the airplane from underwater. Winds were reported calm by a witness and flight control continuity was established. The airplane's floats showed minimal corrosion and all the chambers were intact. The pilot had approximately 30 hours of float plane experience, and he received his seaplane rating about July 1993.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane.

Full Narrative

On July 4, 1998, approximately 1115 eastern daylight time, a Champion 7GCB, N9985Y, was substantially damaged when it impacted the water after takeoff from a creek near Neavitt, Maryland. The certificated private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 The pilot stated that he departed the South River by Annapolis, Maryland, and flew across the bay to Neavitt. He added, the landing on Leadenham Creek near Mulbery Point, Maryland, was normal, and that he observed no problems with the airplane during the flight or landing. According to the pilot, after landing, he water taxied the airplane back to approximately the touchdown point before starting his takeoff run. The pilot said the airplane felt normal as it accelerated to takeoff speed, and became airborne about 60 mph. When the airplane broke the water it pulled to the right. The pilot said he thought this was normal because on most water departures one float will come off the water first causing a slight turn in the opposite direction. However, in this case the turn to the right continued. The pilot tried to stop the turn with left stick, and left rudder but found them ineffective. The airplane then stuck the water right float and right wing first, flipped over, and came to rest inverted. Both the pilot and passenger had life-vest on, and exited the airplane from underwater. A witness reported, "The wind was calm, very, very, calm. There was not a breath of fresh air." In a telephone memorandum for record, a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector stated that flight control continuity was established for both the elevator and rudder. Flight control continuity was also established for the ailerons, but the right aileron was damage requiring its connecting rod to be removed. The Inspector also stated that the floats showed "minimal corrosion" and that all the chambers in the floats looked "good." The pilot stated that he had approximately 30 hours of float plane experience at the time of the accident, and he received his seaplane rating about July 1993.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 7GCG
Tail NumberN9985Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data