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NTSB Report

May 16, 2004 · High Craft Buccaneer · UNREG

Glasco, NY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 2004
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Glasco, NY
Aircraft
High Craft Buccaneer
Tail Number
UNREG
Operator
Theodore Covert
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC04LA130

The pilot was preparing for a landing on the lake when he was "distracted" by people standing on the docks waving to him. He stated that he removed his hand from the throttle to wave back, and the engine rpm decreased momentarily. He then applied power; however, at an altitude of about 40 to 50 feet, he "inadvertently stalled the airplane," and it "pancaked" onto the water. After impacting the water, the seaplane overturned, coming to rest inverted. The pilot additionally stated that he had purchased the seaplane about three weeks prior to the accident, and the accident flight was his first flight in it. He reported no mechanical deficiencies with the seaplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with the water. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane and his diverted attention.

Full Narrative

On May 16, 2004, at 1530 eastern daylight time, an unregistered amateur-built High Craft Buccaneer seaplane, was substantially damaged during landing on a lake in Glasco, New York. The student pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the student pilot, he was preparing for a landing on the lake when he was "distracted" by people standing on the docks waving to him. He stated that he removed his hand from the throttle to wave back, and the engine rpm decreased momentarily. He then applied power; however, at an altitude of about 40 to 50 feet, he "inadvertently stalled the airplane," and it "pancaked" onto the water. After impacting the water, the seaplane overturned, coming to rest inverted. The student pilot stated that he had purchased the seaplane about three weeks prior to the accident, and the accident flight was his first flight in it. He also reported no mechanical deficiencies with the seaplane. Examination of the seaplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHigh Craft Buccaneer
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTheodore Covert
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 532 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter30.21 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data