Summary
On October 02, 1998, a Auxier Herschel A Jr. SEA REY AMPHIBIAN (N54114) was involved in an incident near Keystone Height, FL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilots failure to attain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall, and loss of control.
On October 2, 1998, about 1030 Eastern Standard Time an Auxier Herschel A. Jr. Sea Rey Amphibian homebuilt airplane, N54114, collided with water shortly after takeoff at Lake Geneva, in Keystone Heights, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Melrose, Florida, about 0930.
According to the pilot, after about nine touch and go landings on Lake Geneva, he noticed the tenth takeoff was sluggish and required more time to get off the water.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ATL99LA003. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N54114.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilots failure to attain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall, and loss of control.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On October 2, 1998, about 1030 Eastern Standard Time an Auxier Herschel A. Jr. Sea Rey Amphibian homebuilt airplane, N54114, collided with water shortly after takeoff at Lake Geneva, in Keystone Heights, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Melrose, Florida, about 0930.
According to the pilot, after about nine touch and go landings on Lake Geneva, he noticed the tenth takeoff was sluggish and required more time to get off the water. Once airborne at about 20 to 30 feet above the ground the aircraft began a left turn, and aileron input would not correct for it. The aircraft spiraled left until the left wingtip and nose contacted the water. Just prior to impact the pilot stated that he pulled the throttle back when he realized he had no aileron control to minimize the impact with the water. He estimated the speed at impact at about 40 to 45 miles per hour.
According to the FAA Inspector on-scene, the pilot stated to him that he may not have reached minimum control speed before takeoff and stalled the aircraft. Examination of the airplane found no mechanical defects, and the pilot was not certificated for a single engine sea plane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL99LA003