Monday the 9th of June, 2025

NTSB Final Report: Evektor Aerotechnik EV97

At The Time Of The Accident The Wind Was 140° At 11 Knots, Gusting To 19 Knots

Location: Midland, Texas Accident Number: CEN24LA289
Date & Time: July 29, 2024, 13:30 Local Registration: N916SR
Aircraft: Evektor Aerotechnik EV97 Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: According to the pilot, she was on a multi-day cross-country flight in the experimental light sport airplane. Two days before the accident, she stopped for fuel and had the brakes serviced because she said the brakes were sticking while taxiing; she reported that the brakes worked fine after the maintenance was performed.

The pilot continued the cross-country flight and stopped at another airport to refuel. The pilot reported that while taxiing from the fuel area to the runway, the right brake became inoperative, and the airplane veered off the taxiway and into the grass. The right landing gear strut broke, and the right wing sustained substantial damage. The brake system and the steering linkage for the nose landing gear were examined. No anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation of the brakes or steering.

The investigators were unable to replicate the brake anomaly.

At the time of the accident the wind was 140° at 11 knots, gusting to 19 knots. It is likely that during the taxi the pilot did not properly account for the gusting wind and lost directional control.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during taxi due to strong wind gusts.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

 

 

NTSB Final Report: Avid Magnum

Pilot’s Failure To Maintain Clearance From The Water While Maneuvering In Low Visibility Conditions

Location: Beaver Island, Michigan Accident Number: CEN23FA257
Date & Time: June 23, 2023, 08:44 Local Registration: N103DG
Aircraft: Avid Magnum Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: During a local personal sightseeing flight, the pilot was maneuvering the airplane to see a lighthouse on a remote island. Although he reported that he had good visibility and that the water was flat, the airplane inadvertently impacted the surface of the lake. The pilot regained consciousness in the water but had no recollection of the accident. The airplane was submerged in 20 ft of water. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that both wings, the floats, and the lower fuselage exhibited significant aft crush damage consistent with a nose low, left-wing low impact with the water. An examination of the engine and airframe revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.

According to a surface observation about 6 miles southeast of the accident site, visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Satellite imagery for the accident site indicated cloud cover and lower visibility over most of the lake due to wildfire smoke. The first responders reported that about 15 minutes after the accident there was a lack of contrast on the horizon with smoke, haze, and calm seas, with no discernable horizon visible. The pilot of a rescue helicopter that arrived at the accident site about 30 minutes after the accident confirmed that the smoke and haze, combined with no wind and very calm water, made it impossible to determine where the sky and water met. There was no record that the pilot obtained a weather briefing before the flight.

Given the condition of the airplane and the visibility conditions at the time of the accident, it is likely that the pilot was not able to discern between the water and the horizon due to the smoke, haze, and the calm waters which resulted in the inadvertent descent into the water.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water while maneuvering in low visibility conditions due to smoke and haze.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

 

 

NTSB Prelim: Seamax Aircraft LTDA Seamax M-22

The Airplane Appeared To Struggle To Maintain The Climb... The Wings Were Rocking Back And Forth As The Airplane Climbed 

Location: Dahlgren Center, VA Accident Number: ERA25LA203
Date & Time: May 17, 2025, 16:00 Local Registration: N154RL
Aircraft: Seamax Aircraft LTDA Seamax M-22 Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 17, 2025, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a special light sport amphibious Seamax M-22 airplane (File Photo, below), N154RL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Dahlgren, Virginia. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to family, the pilot and passenger departed from his home-based airport near Fredericksburg, Virginia, then flew to Dahlgren, Virginia for an amphibious water landing on the Potomac River. Shortly after dropping off his passenger, the pilot taxied out for an attempted takeoff.

Surveillance footage from 4 separate cameras located at various sites on shore, showed the airplane during the initial takeoff run on a west to east track. After what appeared to be a normal takeoff run, the airplane rotated and lifted off, but during the initial climb, the airplane appeared to struggle to maintain the climb. The wings were rocking back and forth as the airplane climbed to about 75 to 100 ft above the water surface. The airplane then made a left turn to the north; shortly after, the left wing dropped, and the airplane abruptly descended in a left spiral until impacting the water. According to emergency personnel, the airplane floated briefly, and the pilot was rescued. A brief engine compartment fire ensued.

Post accident examination of the wreckage by the NTSB Investigator revealed the airplane had impacted the water in a steep nose down attitude. The water was about 8 ft deep at the point of impact. There was substantial damage to the airframe; the left wing was impact separated, the cockpit and fuselage were fractured and crushed in multiple locations. The empennage remained attached by control rods and cables. All flight control surfaces remained attached to their respective positions and were manually manipulated with corresponding cable movement. All fractures in the flight control cables had a “broomstraw” appearance indicative of overload.

The engine, mounted on top of the airframe in a pusher configuration was exposed to fire near the propeller side of the engine, however, the engine was largely intact, and most thermal damage was limited to plastics and wiring insulation. Engine crankshaft and valve action continuity was confirmed. The spark plugs showed normal wear. The engine appeared well lubricated, and the oil tank (dry sump forced lubrication system) was intact and full of oil.

The 3-bladed composite propeller remained attached to the hub and reduction gearbox assembly, and it was manually rotated without any hinderance. One of the blades was destroyed by fire. The opposing blades remained intact. During manual operation of the propeller, bay water was forced out of the cylinders and the air filter assembly.

The engine fuel line adjacent to the cylinders was examined and about 5-ounces of liquid with the smell and color of avgas was observed; it was free of water or other contaminants. The engine control unit was retained for further examination and download.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov