Summary
On May 05, 2015, a Robert M. Jones ZENITH CH 701 (N669RJ) was involved in an incident near Palmer, AK. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's excessive descent rate and subsequent hard landing during the landing flare/touchdown.
The sport pilot reported that he was landing his float-equipped, experimental amateur-built airplane on a remote, smooth and glassy water lake. The pilot said that during the approach, just before touchdown, the airplane encountered a slight downdraft, and the airplane's right float struck the water, which pivoted it to the right. The left wing subsequently struck the water, and the airplane nosed over and sank. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC15CA024. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N669RJ.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's excessive descent rate and subsequent hard landing during the landing flare/touchdown.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The sport pilot reported that he was landing his float-equipped, experimental amateur-built airplane on a remote, smooth and glassy water lake. The pilot said that during the approach, just before touchdown, the airplane encountered a slight downdraft, and the airplane's right float struck the water, which pivoted it to the right. The left wing subsequently struck the water, and the airplane nosed over and sank. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC15CA024