The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released a new episode in its Accident Case Study video series about a Lake Renegade amphibious aircraft that crashed while attempting to take off from the Oshkosh seaplane base during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2017.
In Accident Case Study: Lake Renegade, ASI follows the events of the day that led to the ill-fated takeoff. Choppy water conditions, wind direction, and a forgotten flap extension each played a role in the fatal crash. The largest factor, however, was the pilot’s decision to depart, despite unfavorable conditions with an experienced CFI passenger on board.
“The lessons learned from this accident are valuable to all pilots and CFIs,” said ASI SVP Richard McSpadden. “It’s a vital reminder of the trust passengers place in their pilots, and can serve as somber reinforcement of our duty to uphold that trust.”
Each Accident Case Study video uses actual radio communications recordings and/or on-scene videos combined with animation developed by technical experts to explain the dynamics of the situation and track the accident chain of events.
View the new accident case study here. You can also view past accident case studies here.
Looks like the left trim tab was rigged beyond normal. Looks like about 50-60° angle in video and crash photo.
Very poor design or possible maintenance error.
Impatience, ignoring wise council and overconfidence make for a deadly combination!
This just proves that years of experience with many hours flown mean nothing if arrogance and overconfidence are a result.
40 years later, I still welcome suggestions and advice from all. Even students being new to the game have contributed with fresh ideas and questions that lead to good ideas.
I am always open to suggestion and even seek it.
We never stop learning.
The PIC had 33,000 HRS in what type of ACFT? This does not make him experienced in Flying boats or the CFI with 150 HRS. in the Lake. A man has to know his limitations. (I wonder who said that?)
He was an instructor in Lakes. In his area everybody looked up to him as the best pilot around. I spoke to him that morning at a booth and he presented an image that was a bit over-confident. He damaged the plane and it had taken on water, rushed through some sort of repair and then bloody well forgot to put the flaps down when he tried to take off.