NTSB Factual Report

On July 17, 2004, at 1500 central daylight time, an amateur built Saladino Searey amphibian single-engine airplane, N27VS, was substantially damaged upon impact with the water following a loss of control while on approach to land on Lake Lewisville, near Lake Dallas, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The cross country flight originated from the Cedar Mills Airport, near Gordonville, Texas, approximately 1300.

The 1,089-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that during the flight, he decided to land on the adjacent lake to the Lakeview Airport instead of using the asphalt runway. After selecting a suitable area to land on the water, the pilot selected two notches of flaps and verified that the landing gear was retracted. During final approach to the west, approximately "treetop level, [the airplane] flipped over to the left" to an inverted attitude. The pilot stated that after applying right rudder and right aileron, the airplane rolled upright just prior to impacting the water "in a left low attitude."

The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the wind was gusty and from the north, approximately 15-20 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during final approach. A contributing factor was the gusty crosswind condition.