Summary
On April 30, 2017, a Zwicker Murray R GLASTAR (N89SR) was involved in an incident near Napa, CA. 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 amphibious float-equipped airplane's encounter with a submerged object during a water landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
The pilot of the amphibious float-equipped airplane reported that, after the owner had completed multiple touch-and-go water landings, he elected to take the flight controls and perform a few water landings himself. He added that his first touch-and-go water landing "went very well." However, during the second touch-and-go water landing, the touchdown was smooth, but as he added power to "begin the climb away", the airplane veered right and nosed over into the water.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA301. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N89SR.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The amphibious float-equipped airplane's encounter with a submerged object during a water landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of the amphibious float-equipped airplane reported that, after the owner had completed multiple touch-and-go water landings, he elected to take the flight controls and perform a few water landings himself. He added that his first touch-and-go water landing "went very well." However, during the second touch-and-go water landing, the touchdown was smooth, but as he added power to "begin the climb away", the airplane veered right and nosed over into the water. He added that, the right float may have struck a submerged object during the landing.
The right wing lift strut sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Safety Inspector who inspected the accident airplane postaccident, the forward first third section of the right float was bent upward and had "scratching and scoring" marks on the bottom side of the float. He added that he did not observe any rust or corrosion on either float.
A review of the FAA airman certification database revealed that neither pilot held an airplane single engine sea rating.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA301