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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 7, 2017 · Rainbow Sky Reach Pty Bushcat NO Series · N253BC

Ahoskie, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 7, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ahoskie, NC
Aircraft
Rainbow Sky Reach Pty Bushcat NO Series (2013)
Tail Number
N253BC
Operator
Overwatch Tools
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA17CA397

The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that he overflew the river where he planned to land about 1,000 ft above the water. He observed "negligible surface clues" indicating wind direction and recalled that a nearby "ATIS" reported the wind as "light" and from the southwest, so he decided to land to the south. He added that, following a normal landing touchdown, as the airplane was slowing, a "sudden moderate to severe gust of wind came from the right to left." He added that he "inputted right stick to counter" the wind gust and applied power to "go-around," but the airplane nosed over forward and to the left. The fuselage, empennage, and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station 14 nautical miles (nm) southwest from the accident site reported, about the time of the accident, wind from 340° at 3 knots. The departure airport about 30 nm northeast reported, about the time the pilot departed, wind from 300° at 4 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from the southwest, gusting to 10 to 15 knots. He added that the landing direction was to the south.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain proper lateral/bank control during the landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a nose-over into water.

Full Narrative

The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, he overflew the river where he planned to land about 1,000 ft. above the water. He observed "negligible surface clues" indicating wind direction and recalled that a nearby "ATIS" reported the wind as "light" and from the southwest, so he decided to land to the south. He added that, following a normal landing touchdown, as the airplane was slowing, a "sudden moderate to severe gust of wind came from the right to left." He added that, he "inputted right stick to counter" the wind gust and applied power to "go-around," but the airplane nosed over forward and to the left. The fuselage, empennage, and both wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, about the time of the accident, 14 nautical miles (NM) southwest from the accident site, reported wind from 340° at 3 knots. The departure airport, about 30 NM northeast, near the time the pilot departed, reported wind from 300° at 4 knots. The pilot reported the wind from the southwest, gusting 10 to 15 knots. He added that the landing direction was to the south.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRainbow Sky Reach Pty Bushcat NO Series
Tail NumberN253BC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOverwatch Tools
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912ULS · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data