Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate descent rate for a glassy water landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to depart from a paved airport in the amphibious airplane and fly to a nearby lake and land. The pilot overflew the lake and noticed the water appeared to be “glassy” in sections. During touchdown, the airplane landed hard, which resulted in substantial damage to its wings and fuselage. The airplane came to rest, partially submerged, in the lake. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA075 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 20, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hawthorne, Florida
- Nearest airport
- (N/A)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-200
- N-number
- N656B
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2013
- 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.