Narrative:
N16KL departed Harlingen for an aerial photo shoot. The mission called for a simulated water landing (an actual water landing was prohibited) by flying as close as possible to water. The co-pilot was at the controls descended to about 6 feet, then gradually reduced clearance to 6-12 inches above the water at an airspeed of 105 mph. Then the co-pilot inadvertently allowed the plane to touch the water. On touchdown, the Catalina decelerated violently and broke up, ejecting several of the occupants and coming to rest inverted.
PROBABLE CAUSE:
clearance..misjudged..copilot/second pilot
supervision..inadequate..pilot in command
door,landing gear..overload
door,landing gear..separation
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
terrain condition..water,glassy
accident date: 13-10-1984
type: Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina
registration: N16KL
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 13 October 1984 |
| Time: | 08:03 |
| Type: |  Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina |
| Operator: | Confederate Air Force |
| Registration: | N16KL |
| MSN: | 63998 |
| First flight: | |
| Total airframe hrs: | 6457 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 7 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 9 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Port Isabel, TX ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Maneuvering (MNV) |
| Nature: | Aerial Work (Calibration, Photo) |
| Departure airport: | Harlingen-Valley International Airport, TX (HRL/KHRL), United States of America |
| Harlingen-Valley International Airport, TX (HRL/KHRL), United States of America |
N16KL departed Harlingen for an aerial photo shoot. The mission called for a simulated water landing (an actual water landing was prohibited) by flying as close as possible to water. The co-pilot was at the controls descended to about 6 feet, then gradually reduced clearance to 6-12 inches above the water at an airspeed of 105 mph. Then the co-pilot inadvertently allowed the plane to touch the water. On touchdown, the Catalina decelerated violently and broke up, ejecting several of the occupants and coming to rest inverted.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
clearance..misjudged..copilot/second pilot
supervision..inadequate..pilot in command
door,landing gear..overload
door,landing gear..separation
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
terrain condition..water,glassy
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Water
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
accident date: 13-10-1984
type: Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina
registration: N16KL
Map
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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