Kenneth A Berger SEAREY LSX N249PW

Summary

On 24 May 2014 at about 23:50 local time, a Kenneth A Berger SEAREY LSX registered N249PW, operated by Berger Kenneth A, was involved in an accident near Electric City, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 May 2014 at 23:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Electric City, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.8728, -119.1169

Aircraft

Kenneth A Berger SEAREY LSX

Registration

N249PW

Category

Airplane

Year built

2013

Engines

1

Operator

Berger Kenneth A

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Electric City → Monroe

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR14FA209

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control during takeoff after encountering a boat wake, which resulted in the airplane bouncing, impacting the water’s surface, and subsequently becoming submerged.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to witnesses, the private pilot of the experimental, amateur-built, high-wing, amphibious airplane was attempting to take off from the lake, which was choppy due to numerous boat wakes. Witnesses reported that the airplane started a high-speed run but that the engine then throttled back, and the airplane turned toward the beach. The airplane then abruptly turned 180 degrees and started another high-speed run. While on the step for the final takeoff attempt, the airplane encountered a boat wake, bounced 4 to 5 ft, and then abruptly nosed down into the lake. The airplane came to an abrupt stop with a 20- to 30-ft-high splash. When witnesses arrived in their boats, the airplane's high wings were level with the water's surface, and the aft-facing, pylon-mounted engine was still running. Swimmers entered the water and recovered the pilot from the submerged cabin. Shortly thereafter, the airplane sank. The submerged airplane could not be located during a subsequent search by local law enforcement, and the wreckage was not recovered.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.