Summary
Circumstances:
The pilot stated that after becoming airborne he lowered the nose of the aircraft to gain airspeed, but the aircraft sank back onto the water, then veered to the left. The pilot closed the throttle and attempted to steer the aircraft away from the riverbank. The floats struck a rock retaining wall and the aircraft nosed over. The take-off attempt was towards the lee of trees near the riverbank. The local wind conditions produced approximately five knots of crosswind component from the right. The aircraft may have encountered a sudden decrease in headwind component during the take-off causing it to sink back onto the water. Loss of directional control may have occurred because the aircraft was not correctly aligned at touchdown.
FACTORS
1. The aircraft sank back onto the water after becoming airborne possibly due to an unexpected wind gust.
2. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control after the aircraft touched the water.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199003105 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 04/10/1990 |
| Location | Tweed Heads |
| State | New South Wales |
| Report release date | 30/01/1991 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Loss of control |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Cessna Aircraft Company |
|---|---|
| Model | 172 |
| Registration | VH-TUV |
| Serial number | 17263691 |
| Sector | Piston |
| Operation type | Charter |
| Departure point | Tweed River NSW |
| Destination | Tweed River NSW |
| Damage | Substantial |