On July 31, 1998, an Aeronca 15AC (registration N1083H) was involved in an aviation accident near Kodiak, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident are wind gusts, a sudden windshift to a tailwind, the pilot's failure to abort the takeoff, and an inadvertent stall/mush. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A seaplane struck an unoccupied shed during takeoff after wind shifts from headwind to crosswind and tailwind. The pilot stated he should have taken off in the opposite direction or delayed departure.
Accident Overview
During a takeoff on a 2,100-foot-long water run, a seaplane encountered variable direction, gusty crosswinds. According to the pilot, the initial headwind shifted to a crosswind, and then to a tailwind as the takeoff progressed. The airplane became airborne but subsequently settled back onto the water. The pilot determined that there was insufficient remaining distance to stop.
Sequence of Events
The pilot then lifted the airplane off the water a second time. However, the airplane lost altitude and airspeed, and subsequently struck an unoccupied shed located in the departure path. The shed was unoccupied at the time of impact.
Pilot Comments
The pilot stated that he should have taken off in the opposite direction, or delayed the departure until the winds had stabilized.