Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon in Catskill: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 2013 at 1629 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N8AS
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Copake - Copake
MSN:
1315
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
5735
Captain / Total hours on type:
411.00
Aircraft flight hours:
2251
Circumstances:
Michael B. Braunstein, aged 72, was the owner of this vintage aircraft built in 1943 and was performing a local flight within the State of New York. Aircraft was destroyed when it impacted the waters of the Hudson River, near Catskill, New York. The certificated airline transport pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, which departed from B Flat Farm Airport (3NK8), Copake, New York about 1600. Approximately 25 witnesses were interviewed. Witnesses reported observing the twin-engine amphibious airplane flying southbound low above a river and hearing the engine running. The airplane then made a 180-degree left turn, which was consistent with the pilot flying a tight traffic pattern before attempting a water landing. The airplane then descended, leveled off above the water, and suddenly banked left. The airplane’s nose and left pontoon then struck the water, and the airplane nosed over, caught fire, and sank. Postrecovery examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear was in the “up” position and that the flaps were extended, which indicates that the airplane had been configured for a water landing. No evidence of any preimpact failures or malfunctions of the airplane or engines was found that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, a light breeze was blowing, the river was at slack tide, and the water conditions were calm, all of which were conducive to glassy water conditions. It is likely that the glassy water conditions adversely affected the pilot’s depth perception and led to his inability to correctly judge the airplane’s height above the water. He subsequently flared the airplane too high, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack, entering an aerodynamic stall, and impacting the water in a nose-low attitude.
Probable cause:
The pilot’s misjudgment of the airplane’s altitude above the water and early flare for a landing on water with a glassy condition, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon near New Stuyahok

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1998 at 1002 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N139F
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Dillingham - Lake Chikuminuk
MSN:
1375
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7800
Captain / Total hours on type:
750.00
Circumstances:
The commercial pilot departed under special VFR conditions on a CFR part 135 flight for a remote lake. During the flight, low clouds, rain, and fog were present in an area of mountainous terrain along the route of flight. The pilot stated that he intended to utilize a narrow mountain pass to transit the area, and as he entered the mountain pass, discovered that the ceiling and visibility would not allow safe passage. He said that he made an emergency 180 degree turn in an attempt to exit the pass, and subsequently collided with terrain. After initial impact, the airplane slid downhill about 100 feet, and came to rest on a 35 degree slope. The pilot stated that weather conditions at the time of the accident consisted of: Ceiling, 500 foot overcast; visibility, 2 miles with rain and fog; wind 360 degrees, at 8 knots. The pilot noted that there were no pre accident anomalies with the airplane.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's delayed remedial action (course reversal), low ceilings, rain, fog, and mountainous terrain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon off Ventura

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1987 at 1403 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N32BB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Barbara - Santa Barbara
MSN:
1475
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2100
Captain / Total hours on type:
450.00
Aircraft flight hours:
5500
Circumstances:
During a local pleasure flight, the pilot had reduced power and descended to a lower altitude to take pictures of a sailboat race. At approximately 200 feet the pilot made a descending right turn, then leveled off. The aircraft stalled and the pilot lowered the nose and abruptly added power. The engines did not respond in time to regain altitude and airspeed. The aircraft then impacted the water left wing first. On impact a fire started. The aircraft eventually sank and was not recovered. All three occupants were rescued, two of them were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: descent - normal
Findings
1. (f) throttle/power control - excessive - pilot in command
2. (c) stall - uncontrolled - pilot in command
3. (f) remedial action - delayed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: ditching
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
4. (f) terrain condition - water, rough
----------
Occurrence #3: fire
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon in Dillingham

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1985 at 1045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N176MS
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Anchorage - Dillingham
MSN:
1324
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Aircraft flight hours:
6830
Circumstances:
The amphibious aircraft crashed as the pilot was landing on glassy water at the inlet of Nerka Lake. Subsequently, it sank and came to rest inverted in clear water on the bottom of wood river with the gear retracted and the flaps extended. Moderate rain was falling when the pilot was landing. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: hard landing
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - rain
2. (f) terrain condition - water,glassy
3. (c) altitude - misjudged - pilot in command
4. (c) flare - improper - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: nose over
Phase of operation: landing
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44A Widgeon in Big Lake: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1983 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1423
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Big Lake - Big Lake
MSN:
1423
YOM:
1945
Location:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
3726
Captain / Total hours on type:
420.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1200
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed in a level, wooded area. The initial impact with trees occurred approximately 40 feet agl. Both wing tips and a portion of the left stabilizer and elevator were found at the bases of the trees that were first impacted. From the first impact point, the wreckage was disintegrated and scattered over an area that was 30 feet wide and 140 feet long. No known eye witnesses were reported. However, a short time before the accident, the aircraft was observed being flown in abrupt maneuvers and buzzing boats. A toxicological exam of the pilot's blood showed an alcohol level of 2,41‰. An exam of the wreckage was made, but no preimpact/mechanical malfunction or failures were found. The passenger was killed while the pilot was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Findings
1. (c) judgment - poor - pilot in command
2. (c) impairment (alcohol) - pilot in command
3. (c) buzzing - performed - pilot in command
4. (c) maneuver - excessive - pilot in command
5. (c) clearance - misjudged - pilot in command
Final Report:

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon in Walker Lake

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N3767Z
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1346
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the seaplane landed hard on Walker Lake and came to rest. All three occupants were able to evacuate the cabin in time before the wreckage would sank by 200 feet depth.

Crash of a Grumman G-44 Widgeon in Kaipara Harbour: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-BGQ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Auckland - Kaipara Harbour
MSN:
1391
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Kaipara Harbour while on a flight from Mechanics Bay. Both pilots were killed.