Probable cause
The pilot’s misjudgment of his altitude during landing and subsequent decrease in pitch attitude, which resulted in a collision with the water.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was conducting a test flight following minor maintenance he had performed on the airplane. While attempting to land on water in calm wind conditions (he described the water as “glass smooth”), the pilot applied forward stick and immediately found himself underwater. He later stated he believed he lost depth perception when he leveled out above the water's surface prior to touchdown and pushed the nose down to land. Witnesses report the airplane nosed over just prior to landing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA19LA229 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 16, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Crescent, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Eagles Nest Aerodrome (FD44)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built SEAREY
- N-number
- N632FG
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1996
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.