N246DB

On March 26, 2000, about 1554 eastern standard time, a homebuilt amphibious SeaRey, N246DB, registered to Tail Feather LLC, experienced an in-flight loss of control and crashed into Roanoke Sound near Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 1530, from Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.

The pilot stated that after takeoff he performed one touch-and-go landing on the water where the airplane is based then flew north of there then returned and performed one touch-and-go landing on the water. While turning left base to final for the planned 3rd touch-and-go landing, with 10 degrees of flaps extended, in a 15-20 degree angle of bank, and with the power reduced, the passenger called out that the indicated airspeed was 55 miles per hour. The pilot later reported that he did not monitor the airspeed during the turn. He applied partial power; the engine responded, then lowered the nose. He then applied aft elevator input with no response. The airplane contacted the water while in a left wing low attitude. He further reported that there was no engine or flight control preimpact failure or malfunction and just before impact with the water the flight encountered a wind gust.

According to one of the co-owners of the airplane, he verified aileron, rudder, and elevator flight control continuity from the cockpit to each control surface after the accident.