Aviat A-1 N49364

Summary

On 14 February 1998 at about 18:30 local time, a Aviat A-1 registered N49364 was involved in an accident near Clearwater, Florida, 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

14 February 1998 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Clearwater, Florida, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Aviat A-1

Registration

N49364

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL98LA042

Nobody was injured.

failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering to pick up a banner, which led to a stall, loss of altitude, and collision with the water.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he made a series of 'patterns' to prepare for a banner pickup off of a pontoon boat. He began the pattern at 400 feet mean sea level and descended to 100 feet. On his last pattern, the pilot turned onto the base leg at 100 feet. He stated the airspeed seemed slower than the indicated 65 miles per hour. The pilot stated the left wing then dipped, and the airplane began a descent. The left wingtip struck the water, and the plane cart-wheeled. According to an FAA inspector, the pilot was making a left turn at an altitude of 100 feet when the left wing stalled. The airplane then rotated left, lost altitude, and struck the water. The FAA inspector also noted the airplane was over maximum gross weight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.