1993-01-07: Grumman G-21A — Peninsula Airways, Inc. — Akutan, AK

Casualties unknown • Akutan, AK, US

Probable cause

THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THE PILOTS IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WINDS. FACTORS WERE THE MICROBURST, THE ROUGH WATER, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT STATED THAT JUST AFTER TOUCHING DOWN ON THE WATER, HE ENCOUNTERED A MICROBURST. HE ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND SPEED SUDDENLY CHANGED FROM ABOUT 15 TO 20 KNOTS TO 40 TO 50 KNOTS. THE LEFT WING FLOAT HIT THE WATER AND WAS TORN OFF. BECAUSE OF THE STRONG WINDS AND ROUGH WATER HE WAS UNABLE TO GET AIRBORNE OR TO TURN THE AIRPLANE. HE KEPT THE AIRPLANE HEADED INTO THE WIND AND BEACHED THE AIRPLANE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE BAY. THE PILOT ALSO SAID THAT SUITABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS HAD BEEN REPORTED FOR THE LANDING AREA ABOUT ONE HALF HOUR EARLIER.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-01-07 Grumman G-21A accident near Akutan, AK?

THE PILOT STATED THAT JUST AFTER TOUCHING DOWN ON THE WATER, HE ENCOUNTERED A MICROBURST. HE ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND SPEED SUDDENLY CHANGED FROM ABOUT 15 TO 20 KNOTS TO 40 TO 50 KNOTS. THE LEFT WING FLOAT HIT THE WATER AND WAS TORN OFF. BECAUSE OF THE STRONG WINDS AND ROUGH WATER HE WAS UNABLE TO GET AIRBORNE OR TO…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-01-07 involved a Grumman G-21A, registration N22932, operated by Peninsula Airways, Inc., at Akutan, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THE PILOTS IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WINDS. FACTORS WERE THE MICROBURST, THE ROUGH WATER, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11640. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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