What happened
On January 29, 2008, a Grumman G-21A amphibian aircraft, registered as N21A, was involved in an accident during a water landing near Marathon, Florida. The flight, which was being conducted under Part 91 regulations for personal use, departed from the Florida Keys Marathon Airport at approximately 1615 EST. No flight plan had been filed for this mission.
During the flight, the pilot intended to fly westward to inspect a specific water-work area. According to statements provided to investigators, the pilot was engaged in practicing takeoff and landing maneuvers. While attempting a water landing, the left wing of the aircraft made contact with the ocean surface, causing the plane to enter a water loop.
Following the impact, the two occupants—the pilot and a passenger—sustained serious injuries. They were rescued from the water by a nearby boat operator and transported to shore, where emergency medical personnel were waiting to provide assistance. The aircraft suffered substantial damage during the event.
Findings
An investigation conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) determined that the weather conditions were within visual meteorological limits at the time of the accident. A mechanical inspection of the Grumman G-21A revealed no evidence of engine or mechanical failure prior to the impact. Neither the pilot nor the passenger reported any malfunctions during the flight operations.