NTSB Factual Report

On November 29, 2009, about 1330 eastern standard time, an amateur-built, amphibious, Tail Feather LLC, Sea Rey, N969TF, operated by an individual, crashed into the Gulf of Mexico off the shores near Blind Pass, Sanibel, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 local personal flight. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the airplane incurred substantial damage.

The pilot stated that he was flying from west to east, about 70 to 75 miles per hour, and at an altitude of 300 feet above ground level (agl). As the pilot approached the Sanibel/Captiva Islands he descended to 100 feet agl, 300 to 400 feet from the shoreline. He then began a 180-degree turn, forgetting to add power and losing 70 feet of altitude in the turn. At the completion of the turn the pilot was at about 30 feet agl and 40 miles per hour airspeed. He stated that “adding power did not seem appropriate” as he was “heading toward the beach with people everywhere.” The pilot elected to allow the airplane to stall and crash into the water.

The pilot also noted that no stall warning horn was installed in the airplane.

An examination of the wreckage was performed by the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. According to the inspector, the right wing spar was substantially damaged as was the main wing attachment to the pylon. All support tubing for the main pylon and wing attachment points were cracked or bent. The control panel and fuel tank were detached from the wreckage. The airplane engine showed no damage or operational abnormalities other than that incurred from being submerged in saltwater.

The pilot, age 55, held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. He was issued an FAA third-class medical certificate in July 2009, with the limitation that he must wear corrective lenses.

On December 29, 2001, the airplane was issued a special airworthiness certificate and was registered in the experimental category. The two-place amphibious airplane was equipped with retractable landing gear of tail wheel design. The airplane was equipped with a Rotax 914 engine.

The closest official weather observation was at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Winter Haven, Florida, 17 miles east of the accident site. The RSW 1353 aviation routine weather report (METAR) recorded winds from 170 degrees at 5 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; few clouds at 4000 feet; temperature 24 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 12 degrees C; altimeter 30.05 inches of mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to add power during a low-level turn, which resulted in a loss of airspeed and a subsequent stall.