Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate remedial action to correct for a crosswind gust. The crosswind gust was a factor.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On September 13, 1998, approximately 1250 Pacific daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D floatplane, N46TC, was substantially damaged during a landing on Devils Lake near Lincoln City, Oregon, when one of its wingtips dragged the water. The private pilot-in-command and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR 91 personal flight from Lacamas Lake near Camas, Washington.
The pilot reported he landed to the northwest, directly into the wind. He stated that at touchdown, a "major unexpected wind gust from the right [north] tipped [the] plane and [the] left wing dipped into [the] water. [The] plane nosed forward toward [the] left and settled back on the floats." The pilot reported the winds as northwesterly at approximately 8 knots, but was unable to estimate gust strength. The pilot indicated that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved in the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA98LA180