Mechanical & Engine Failure · NTSB CEN09LA611
MCKENNA JAMES E AVID-CATAL — Inks Lake, TX
| Date | September 30, 2009 |
| Location | Inks Lake, TX |
| Aircraft | MCKENNA JAMES E AVID-CATAL (amateur-built) |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Prior to flight Aircraft structural failure |
| Pilot age | 63 |
| Pilot total time | 285 hrs · Low time |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to take off with a known airframe deficiency.
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft structures-Fuselage-(general)-Damaged/degraded - C
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Angle of attack-Attain/maintain not possible
What happened
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.