Benton Fred D SEAWIND 3000 N829GS

Summary

On 12 January 2013 at about 20:29 local time, a Benton Fred D SEAWIND 3000 registered N829GS, operated by John W. Ardoyno, was involved in an accident near Sarasota, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 January 2013 at 20:29

Classification

Accident

Location

Sarasota, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Sarasota/Bradenton Intl (SRQ)

Coordinates

27.3861, -82.5619

Aircraft

Benton Fred D SEAWIND 3000

Registration

N829GS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

John W. Ardoyno

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sarasota → Sarasota

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13FA109

2 people died.

The pilot's inability to establish a normal climb rate after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The purpose of the flight was to demonstrate the amphibious airplane for a potential buyer. Four months earlier, the accident pilot performed a forced landing on water due to a loss of engine power. Maintenance personnel subsequently found a broken fuel injector line and repaired same. The propeller was also removed, overhauled, and replaced. A witness stated that the pilot had difficulty starting the engine prior to the accident flight. Maintenance personnel reported that the pilot performed high speed taxi tests prior to the flight and the pilot stated to them that the engine and propeller were performing satisfactorily. During the takeoff and initial climb, witnesses reported that the airplane appeared to be climbing slowly and then stopped climbing and was on the verge of a stall. The airplane "pancaked" into trees and exploded. One witness heard a backfire or popping noise prior to the crash. The airplane collided with trees and then the ground, resulting in a post-crash fire that consumed a majority of the wreckage. An examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller did not reveal evidence of a pre-existing malfunction or failure. Smooth cuts in tree limbs indicated that the engine was operating at the time of impact. The reason for the pilot's inability to establish a normal climb gradient could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.