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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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October 12, 2018 · Richard Silva Seawind 3000 · N46SW

Pocono Summit, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 12, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Pocono Summit, PA
Aircraft
Richard Silva Seawind 3000 (1993)
Tail Number
N46SW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA19CA051

The pilot reported that he attempted to take off from a lake with a 20- to 30-knot crosswind. A video of the takeoff showed that, as the right wing lifted, the left wingtip contacted the water. Subsequently, the seaplane bounced and impacted the water hard with the nose oriented to the left. The pilot was able to correct the course heading and continued to water taxi without further incident. The pilot added that he should not have departed in high crosswind conditions and admitted to pilot error. The seaplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who conducted a postaccident examination of the seaplane reported that he established flight control continuity and that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the seaplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper decision to attempt to take off from a lake in high crosswind conditions, which resulted in the right wing lifting, the left wing impacting the water, and the airplane bouncing and then impacting the water hard.

Full Narrative

The airline transport pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that he attempted to takeoff from a lake with a 20 to 30 knot crosswind. A video of the takeoff showed that as the right-wing lifted, the left-wing tip contacted the water; subsequently, the airplane bounced, touched down again hard with the nose oriented to the left. The pilot was able to correct course heading and continued to water taxi without further incident. The pilot added that he should not have departed in high crosswind conditions and admitted to pilot error. The seaplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRichard Silva Seawind 3000
Tail NumberN46SW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-KIE5 · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 66 · Unknown · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 45 C
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time13:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data