Aviat A-1B N388AS

Summary

On 27 April 2012 at about 21:44 local time, a Aviat A-1B registered N388AS was involved in an accident near Sylacauga, Alabama, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 April 2012 at 21:44

Classification

Accident

Location

Sylacauga, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

33.1594, -86.4497

Aircraft

Aviat A-1B

Registration

N388AS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Alabaster → Alabaster

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12LA305

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's attempt to take off with the carburetor heat in the hot position, which limited the airplane’s performance, and the pilot's subsequent failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was attempting a water takeoff to the southwest. After picking the left float off the water, the amphibious airplane did not accelerate as expected. The pilot reported that he attempted to keep the wings level; however, the right wing "fell," and the airplane stalled and impacted the terrain. A video of the accident sequence indicates that the airplane became airborne and the pilot began a right-hand turn to avoid the trees at the boundary of the lake. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure that would have precluded normal operation. Both landing gear floats were dry inside when examined. The carburetor heat knob was found in the "hot" position. The "Before Takeoff" checklist for the airplane specifies that the carburetor heat should be “cold” for takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.