Aviat A1 N526MA

Summary

On 2 July 2020 at about 18:20 local time, a Aviat A1 registered N526MA was involved in an accident near Plattsburgh, New York, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 July 2020 at 18:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Plattsburgh, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Plattsburgh Intl (PBG)

Coordinates

44.6361, -73.4253

Aircraft

Aviat A1

Registration

N526MA

Category

Airplane

Year built

2001

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Burlington → Plattsburgh

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA20CA241

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's loss of control of the airplane during a water landing after striking a boat wake, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he overflew the area of intended landing to check for water depth, wind direction, and verify that it was a suitable landing area. While on final approach to the water, a boat crossed underneath the airplane. As the airplane landed on the water, it struck the boat wake, which resulted in the airplane "skip[ping]" over the water. When the airplane impacted the water again, the front float struts collapsed resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.