No fatalities

2014-10-24: Cessna 208A Caravan (XA-WET) — FlyWet — Laguna de Tres Palos, Mexico

Laguna de Tres Palos, MexicoTakeoff (climb)

On October 24, 2014, a Cessna 208A Caravan (registration XA-WET) operated by FlyWet was involved in an aviation accident near Laguna de Tres Palos, Mexico during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control of the aircraft during a takeoff run from a watery surface due to cross winds. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781193337Data APIEditorial standards

During a positioning flight, a seaplane oscillated during takeoff from Laguna de Tres Palos. The crew abandoned the takeoff but the aircraft nosed down, flipped, and submerged. Both pilots evacuated safely; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Accident Overview

A seaplane operating a positioning flight from Laguna de Tres Palos to Acapulco-General Juan N. Álvarez International Airport experienced a loss of control during the takeoff run. The aircraft oscillated laterally before the crew abandoned the takeoff procedure. The seaplane then nosed down, plunged into the water, and came to rest inverted and submerged. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.

Sequence of Events

The crew began the takeoff run from the watery surface of Laguna de Tres Palos. As the seaplane accelerated, it started to oscillate from left to right. At a speed of approximately 45 knots, the crew decided to abort the takeoff. Immediately after, the aircraft nosed down and entered the water. It inverted and came to rest fully submerged. Both pilots evacuated the wreckage safely. The seaplane was not recoverable and was declared damaged beyond repair.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be loss of control of the aircraft during a takeoff run from a watery surface due to cross winds.