McKenna James E AVID-CATAL N1945J

Summary

On 30 September 2009 at about 19:15 local time, a McKenna James E AVID-CATAL registered N1945J, operated by Eachus, Jim C., was involved in an accident near Inks Lake, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 September 2009 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Inks Lake, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Burnet Municipal Airport (BMQ)

Coordinates

30.7353, -98.3783

Aircraft

McKenna James E AVID-CATAL

Registration

N1945J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Eachus, Jim C.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Inks Lake → Burnet

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09LA611

1 person died.

The pilot’s decision to take off with a known airframe deficiency.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The amphibian airplane had a known history of taking on water when operating on the water. On the day of the accident, the pilot attempted to take off, but was unable. He had commented to a witness that he could not take off due to the water in the plane. The pilot removed the airplane from the lake and attempted to drain the water for about 15 minutes before he attempted another takeoff. Witnesses observed the airplane accelerate across the lake, pull up into a steep angle to about 50 feet, and then bank left into the water. Due to impact damage, inspectors on scene could not determine how water may have leaked into the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.