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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

September 7, 1998 · Vertical Concepts Searey · N39CS

Hiawassee, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 7, 1998
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Hiawassee, GA
Aircraft
Vertical Concepts Searey
Tail Number
N39CS
Operator
Charles O Schobel
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL98LA123

Prior to the accident, the pilot had been performing touch and go landings on a glassy lake. During the final landing, after touchdown, the seaplane nosed over inverted. When the airplane was retrieved from the lake, according to the pilot, he noted that the fiberglass hull had delaminated. The pilot believed the delamination resulted in the nose over on landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The delamination of the hull that resulted in a nose over during landing.

Full Narrative

On September 7, 1998, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Vertical Concepts Inc. SeaRey, N39CS, nosed over on landing on Lake Chatuge, Hiawassee, Georgia. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed for this local flight. The commercial pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated at 1030 on Lake Chatuge. According to the pilot, he was doing touch and go landings on the lake. On the accident landing, after making a normal touchdown, the airplane flipped over. The pilot stated that when the airplane was removed from the water he noted the delamination of the fiberglass hull and suspected that it caused the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftVertical Concepts Searey
Tail NumberN39CS
Aircraft CategoryUnknown
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCharles O Schobel
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 914 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter28.00 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data