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May 3, 2000 · De Havilland U-6A · N8523

Kenmore, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 3, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kenmore, WA
Aircraft
De Havilland U-6A
Tail Number
N8523
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA00LA083

The pilot was landing to the south on Lake Washington in between a buoy and a yacht. The yacht was making approximately 2 to 3 knots speed heading south. Winds were out of the south at 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots resulting in choppy water surface conditions. As the floatplane touched down, the yacht powered up creating a large bow wave. The aircraft contacted the wave during its southerly rollout and while decelerating in a nose high attitude. The encounter resulted in the aircraft's right wing contacting the water. Forward visibility was restricted as the nose of the aircraft was raised during the landing on water.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during the landing roll. Contributing factors were the power wave created by the nearby yacht, the rough water conditions, and the pilot's loss of visual contact with the wave during the rollout.

Full Narrative

On May 3, 2000, approximately 1050 Pacific daylight time, a DeHavilland U-6A Beaver floatplane, N8523, registered to and being flown by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft's right wingtip contacted the water during the landing roll at Kenmore Air Harbor seaplane base (north Lake Washington), Kenmore, Washington. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. Winds were out of the south at 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Anacortes, Washington, approximately 1010. The pilot reported that he was landing to the south on Lake Washington in between a buoy and a yacht. The yacht was making approximately 2 to 3 knots speed heading south. He further stated that just as he "arrived at the predetermined touch down point, the yacht at almost the same moment applied full power, creating a large bow wave and instead of passing over the anticipated 4 to 6 inch wave, my left float hit a 2 to 3 foot wave, raising the left float and rocking the aircraft, causing my right wing to clip the bow wave. At the same moment I applied power, bringing the aircraft to a normal position." Additionally, the pilot related that "when rotating a Beaver just prior to touch down forward visibility is cut off for a period of approximately 30 seconds until the aircraft settles in the water. At that time the pilot's visibility is limited to the left side and 90 degrees to the right. Therefore the power (bow) wave was not visible until approximately 5 seconds prior to impact." The aircraft remained upright and taxied to Kenmore Air Harbor. Post-crash examination revealed extensive skin wrinkling on the right wing surface. A commercial pilot with DeHavilland Beaver experience reported that the water at the north end of Lake Washington was choppy the day of the accident due to the strong southerly winds. He also confirmed that when landing in such circumstances, and once the pilot has engaged the floats in the water, back pressure on the control column is applied to decelerate the aircraft as quickly as possible. This raises the nose of the aircraft and further obstructs forward vision, as the accident pilot described earlier.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:50 PDT
Nearest AirportKenmore Air Harbour Spb (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland U-6A
Tail NumberN8523
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R985-AN39A · Reciprocating · 450
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 13 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data