Bauer Thomas G KITFOX III N573TB

Summary

On 20 December 2014 at about 19:25 local time, a Bauer Thomas G KITFOX III registered N573TB, operated by Patrick Driscoll, was involved in an accident near Bumpass, Virginia, 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

20 December 2014 at 19:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Bumpass, Virginia, United States

Coordinates

37.9599, -77.7297

Aircraft

Bauer Thomas G KITFOX III

Registration

N573TB

Category

Airplane

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Patrick Driscoll

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lake Anna → Lake Anna

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA15CA080

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper flare during a water landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot he and his passenger departed from a lake marina on a local flight to conduct water take offs and landings. The flight was uneventful, but during the landing approach, the pilot reported that he misjudged the flare height due to the lack of visual reference on the water surface. He flared the airplane high and subsequently landed hard. Post-accident investigation revealed that the left forward float strut attachment point and lower left frame tube was sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.