Grumman G-44 Widgeon

Michael B. Braunstein

Michael B. Braunstein, aged 72, was the owner of this vintage aircraft built in 1943 and was performing a local flight within the State of New York. Aircraft was destroyed when it impacted the waters of the Hudson River, near Catskill, New York. The certificated airline transport pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, which departed from B Flat Farm Airport (3NK8), Copake, New York about 1600. Approximately 25 witnesses were interviewed. Witnesses reported observing the twin-engine amphibious airplane flying southbound low above a river and hearing the engine running. The airplane then made a 180-degree left turn, which was consistent with the pilot flying a tight traffic pattern before attempting a water landing. The airplane then descended, leveled off above the water, and suddenly banked left. The airplane’s nose and left pontoon then struck the water, and the airplane nosed over, caught fire, and sank. Postrecovery examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear was in the “up” position and that the flaps were extended, which indicates that the airplane had been configured for a water landing. No evidence of any preimpact failures or malfunctions of the airplane or engines was found that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, a light breeze was blowing, the river was at slack tide, and the water conditions were calm, all of which were conducive to glassy water conditions. It is likely that the glassy water conditions adversely affected the pilot’s depth perception and led to his inability to correctly judge the airplane’s height above the water. He subsequently flared the airplane too high, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack, entering an aerodynamic stall, and impacting the water in a nose-low attitude.

Fresh Water Adventures

The commercial pilot departed under special VFR conditions on a CFR part 135 flight for a remote lake. During the flight, low clouds, rain, and fog were present in an area of mountainous terrain along the route of flight. The pilot stated that he intended to utilize a narrow mountain pass to transit the area, and as he entered the mountain pass, discovered that the ceiling and visibility would not allow safe passage. He said that he made an emergency 180 degree turn in an attempt to exit the pass, and subsequently collided with terrain. After initial impact, the airplane slid downhill about 100 feet, and came to rest on a 35 degree slope. The pilot stated that weather conditions at the time of the accident consisted of: Ceiling, 500 foot overcast; visibility, 2 miles with rain and fog; wind 360 degrees, at 8 knots. The pilot noted that there were no pre accident anomalies with the airplane.

John A. Schwamm

During a local pleasure flight, the pilot had reduced power and descended to a lower altitude to take pictures of a sailboat race. At approximately 200 feet the pilot made a descending right turn, then leveled off. The aircraft stalled and the pilot lowered the nose and abruptly added power. The engines did not respond in time to regain altitude and airspeed. The aircraft then impacted the water left wing first. On impact a fire started. The aircraft eventually sank and was not recovered. All three occupants were rescued, two of them were seriously injured.

Red Dodge

The aircraft crashed in a level, wooded area. The initial impact with trees occurred approximately 40 feet agl. Both wing tips and a portion of the left stabilizer and elevator were found at the bases of the trees that were first impacted. From the first impact point, the wreckage was disintegrated and scattered over an area that was 30 feet wide and 140 feet long. No known eye witnesses were reported. However, a short time before the accident, the aircraft was observed being flown in abrupt maneuvers and buzzing boats. A toxicological exam of the pilot's blood showed an alcohol level of 2,41‰. An exam of the wreckage was made, but no preimpact/mechanical malfunction or failures were found. The passenger was killed while the pilot was seriously injured.

Usibelli Coal Mine

For unknown reasons, the seaplane landed hard on Walker Lake and came to rest. All three occupants were able to evacuate the cabin in time before the wreckage would sank by 200 feet depth.

Sea Bee Air

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Kaipara Harbour while on a flight from Mechanics Bay. Both pilots were killed.

C. R. Morse

While cruising unde VFR mode in poor weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the seaplane that entered a dive and crashed in flames in an isolated area located in the region of Cordova. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the three occupants was found. The wreckage was eventually localized on May 21, 1979.

South Central Airlines - SCA

The pilot attempted to takeoff from Kodiak in a limited visibility due to fog. At mid-runway, he realized that another pilot entered the runway so he pulled on the control column to rotate. The twin engine airplane lifted off but due to an insufficient speed, it stalled and crashed in a lake past the runway end. All seven occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the visibility was very poor due to fog.

Mount Cook Airlines

Pilot Roger Poole was taking a TV news crew of three to film a burning 8.5m launch near Browns Island. After circling the launch and landing nearby, the floatplane took off and circled to the right at low level. It straighten out as if to return to base at Mechanics Bay, but then banked steeply to the right, the turn becoming near vertical. The nose dropped and it crashed into the sea, killing all four aboard.

PenAir - Peninsula Airways - Alaska Airlines Commuter

While taking off from a lagoon off Sanak Island, the airplane failed to get airborne, struck the shore and crashed. All four occupants were injured, two of them seriously. The aircraft was written off.