Casualties unknown

1990-04-28: Lake LA-4-200 (N1086L) — Seawind Airways, Inc. — Have DE Grace, MD

Have DE Grace, MD, US

On April 28, 1990, a Lake LA-4-200 (registration N1086L) operated by Seawind Airways, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Have DE Grace, MD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND USED EXCESSIVE BRAKING TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot aborted a seaplane takeoff after noticing a wake, but the aircraft collided with combined wakes, resulting in substantial damage.

Incident Overview

The pilot of a seaplane reported that after leaving the dock, he checked for boat traffic in the area intended for takeoff. He observed that most boats were approximately 20 feet in length and traveling in a north/south direction. Approximately three seconds into the takeoff roll, the pilot noticed a wake of water moving east/west and decided to abort the takeoff. The aircraft subsequently collided with the wake at about the same time it combined with another wake traveling north/south. The collision caused substantial damage to the aircraft.

Sequence of Events

According to the pilot, prior to initiating the takeoff, he surveyed the water for boat traffic and noted that the majority of vessels were in the 20-foot range and moving north/south. During the takeoff, at about three seconds, he observed a wake traveling east/west. He elected to abort the takeoff. As the aircraft decelerated, it encountered the east/west wake at the moment it merged with a north/south wake. The combined wakes resulted in a significant impact that substantially damaged the aircraft.

Outcome

The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the collision with the combined wakes. No information was provided regarding any injuries to the pilot or other occupants, nor were details given about the aircraft's registration, type, or operator. The investigation did not specify a probable cause for the accident.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22868. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.