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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 26, 2014 · Aviat Aircraft A 1 Undesignat · N400HU

Ketchikan, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 26, 2014
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ketchikan, AK
Aircraft
Aviat Aircraft A 1 Undesignat (1997)
Tail Number
N400HU
Operator
Wild Bills Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC14CA061

The pilot was departing from a remote mountain lake in an amphibious float-equipped airplane. Prior to departure he observed the wind out of the east, and began his takeoff run in an easterly direction. He stated that the airplane was slow to accelerate and unstable once on the step. He closed the throttle and aborted the takeoff, the airplane immediately yawed to the right, he applied left rudder and deployed the water rudders in an effort to correct for the yaw, but the right wing impacted a tree and swung the airplane into the shoreline. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. While awaiting rescue, the pilot noted that the wind reversed direction about the center of the lake, and he may have encountered a tailwind during the takeoff run. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been avoided if he had made the decision to abort the takeoff sooner.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's decision to takeoff from a remote mountain lake in variable wind. Contributing to the accident was the pilots delayed decision to abort the takeoff.

Full Narrative

The pilot was departing from a remote mountain lake in an amphibious float-equipped airplane. Prior to departure he observed the wind out of the east, and began his takeoff run in an easterly direction. He stated that the airplane was slow to accelerate and unstable once on the step. He closed the throttle and aborted the takeoff, the airplane immediately yawed to the right, he applied left rudder and deployed the water rudders in an effort to correct for the yaw, but the right wing impacted a tree and swung the airplane into the shoreline. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. While awaiting rescue, the pilot noted that the wind reversed direction about the center of the lake, and he may have encountered a tailwind during the takeoff run. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been avoided if he had made the decision to abort the takeoff sooner.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAviat Aircraft A 1 Undesignat
Tail NumberN400HU
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWild Bills Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 16 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 55
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data