On May 12, 2004, an Aviat A-1B (registration N17MR) was involved in an aviation accident near Halifax, MA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate flare during landing, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water. A factor was the glassy water conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot practicing takeoffs and landings on a pond experienced glassy water conditions due to light variable winds, leading to difficulty judging height. The airplane impacted the water nose-low, submerged float tips, and came to rest inverted.
Incident Overview
A pilot was conducting practice takeoffs and landings on a pond. During an approach to the pond, the pilot observed that the winds were light and variable, which created glassy water conditions.
Sequence of Events
As the pilot prepared for the landing flare, difficulty arose in accurately referencing the airplane's height above the water due to the glassy surface. Subsequently, the airplane struck the water in a nose-low attitude. The impact caused the float tips to submerge, and the airplane came to rest inverted.
Post-Event Conditions
The airplane was found inverted in the pond after the accident. No further details regarding the aircraft type, registration, or pilot injuries were provided in the source.