Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS ALTITUDE OVER GLASSY WATER DURING LANDING AND INADVERTENTLY TOUCHED DOWN IN A FLAT ATTITUDE.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On December 17, 1993, about 1230 eastern standard time, a Grumman G-44A, N58DG, registered to David S. Garber, crashed while landing on Lake Griffin, Leesburg, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated at Leesburg Municipal Airport, Leesburg, Florida, on December 17, 1993, at 1225.
The pilot stated he was landing on Lake Griffin and planned to terminate the flight on the ramp behind his house. While in the landing flare he encountered glassy water and lost all depth perception. Before he could initiate a go-around the aircraft touched down inadvertently in a flat attitude and the aircraft immediately flipped tail over nose. The aircraft came to rest inverted in the water and remained afloat.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA94LA039