Schmidt ZODIAC 601 XL N819GS

Summary

On 4 September 2003 at about 23:54 local time, a Schmidt ZODIAC 601 XL registered N819GS was involved in an accident near Sumner, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 September 2003 at 23:54

Classification

Accident

Location

Sumner, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.2167, -122.1433

Aircraft

Schmidt ZODIAC 601 XL

Registration

N819GS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sumner → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03LA186

1 person was seriously injured.

Loss of engine power during the initial climb. Factors include the in-flight collision with trees during the uncontrolled descent.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

In a written statement the pilot reported that the water takeoff was normal, however, 400 to 500 feet into the climb, the engine quit. The pilot reported that a straight ahead landing was not possible due to boats on the water, and elected to land near a residential street on Snag Island. In a supplemental written statement, the pilot reported that following the engine failure he turned the airplane to the left, approximately 180 degrees, in an effort to reach a suitable area for landing. The statement continues, adding that after completing the turn, the pilot was still unable to reach a suitable landing area and elected to "...stall into the trees." A witness to the accident reported, in part, that the pilot was demonstrating the airplane's takeoff performance off water. The witness stated he followed the airplane, on a jet ski, during its takeoff glide in an effort to mark the actual point of takeoff. A second witness, who was also on a jet ski, reported that shortly after becoming airborne, approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL), the airplane "...began a very steep right turn." The witness stated that after entering the turn, the airplane pitched (nose down) and impacted terrain. Disassembly and examination of the cylinder assemblies and associated components revealed no evidence of a pre impact mechanical failure. Further examination of the crankcase and internal crankcase components revealed no evidence of oil starvation or internal component failure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.