Summary
On April 01, 2017, a Icon Aircraft INC A5 (N672BA) was involved in an incident near Key Largo, FL. 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 failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing.
The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that during a no flap water landing, he noticed a higher descent rate than expected. He added that he applied full power to initiate a go-around, but the airplane landed hard on the water. The pilot and passenger egressed the airplane and were rescued without further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that he believes the airplane encountered "a windshift/shear to a tailwind as [he] transitioned high to low for landing approach toward the [south-southwest]".
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA213. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N672BA.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper descent rate during the approach, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that during a no flap water landing, he noticed a higher descent rate than expected. He added that he applied full power to initiate a go-around, but the airplane landed hard on the water. The pilot and passenger egressed the airplane and were rescued without further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that he believes the airplane encountered "a windshift/shear to a tailwind as [he] transitioned high to low for landing approach toward the [south-southwest]". A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located about 6 miles to the west of the accident site reported that about 17 minutes before the accident the wind was 090° at 9 knots.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA213