NTSB Factual Report

On August 31, 2012, about 1630 Pacific daylight time, an Easton SeaRey amateur-built experimental amphibian airplane, N346PE, sustained substantial damage when it impacted wires and terrain during approach to landing at a private airstrip near Friday Harbor, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was seriously injured. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which had originated from Eastsound, Washington, approximately 45 minutes before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed.

The owner of the airstrip stated that he observed the airplane arrive at his airstrip and circle the airstrip several times before the pilot established a traffic pattern to land to the south. The 1,200-foot-long grass airstrip had an east-west road on the north end, and the road had transmission wires paralleling it on both sides. The witness observed the airplane on short final and moments later it struck a wire on the south side of the road. The aircraft nosed over and impacted terrain inverted.

An initial wreckage examination at the accident site was performed by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. After the airplane was moved to the pilot's hangar, a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator examined the wreckage. The keel of the fuselage and the right main landing gear tire exhibited wire abrasion marks. Additionally, the left main landing gear leg had paint missing, which was consistent with a wire strike. No other pre-impact mechanical discrepancies were found with the airplane's airframe or engine that would have prevented normal operation.

The airstrip owner reported that the wind, at the time of the accident, was from the south at 5 to 10 knots. He said that he recommends to visiting pilots that they land to the north regardless of the wind direction. The airstrip slopes down to the south, so landing north is going uphill. Also, landing north eliminates the hazard of having to fly over the transmission wires along the road on short final. The airstrip owner reported that he was unaware of the pilot's impending visit and did not have the opportunity to brief him. The airstrip owner also reported that, after the accident, he talked to a pilot at the airport in Eastsound who was present when the airplane departed on the accident flight. This pilot told the airstrip owner that he had spoken with the accident pilot and informed him of the presence of wires at the north end of the airstrip.

Several attempts were made to interview the pilot over a 6-month period, and to obtain a completed National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report from the pilot. The pilot declined to be interviewed, citing medical issues, and a completed Form 6120.1 was not received.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s inadequate glidepath and failure to maintain clearance from the transmission wire during a landing approach.