The pilot and passenger were flying the Aviat Aircraft A-1B at a cruise altitude about 3,500 feet mean sea level.
The pilot told investigators that he performed a precautionary landing for unspecified reasons to a beach on Matagorda Island, Texas. During the landing roll, the airplane veered left and collided with a sand dune. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage.
When reporting the accident to his insurance company, the pilot reported that he landed to take a picture. He did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during an intentional off-airport landing.
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This January 2022 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Obviously these comments are not well screened prior to posting. Many of these are totally moronic.
Begining the process of becoming a pilot. Advanced in years I notice things others don’t. My take away here is the vast chasm between mindsets in the comments. From The $##t happens keep rocking keep pushing to the guys you know want a torque wrench on Thier shoelace knots cuz Thier actually scared. I did the Motorcycle thing, Don’t no more because I found out I was scared of Traffic. True, so I stay off them, at least anything that’s going out where knot heads are allowed to drive. & That’s smart, because there is no reason to ride stupid motorcycle & I got the fear I don’t need to overcome stupidity. That’s stupid. For some reason I don’t have fear of 5′ tall Asian lady sitting on 2 phone books to Pilot a plane.. so I’m gonna go for it I ain’t worried about crashing but will avoid it at all costs. Cuz that’s smart.
Nothing I wouldn’t have tried. Glad you walked away.. some high quality duck tape and fresh tank of fuel. Stay young at heart, smile often dare to live. Your reward will arrive.
No matter why it happened, I just thank God everyone is ok, plane can be replaced, life can’t!
My experience with light gear and big tires, I would think that would be the problem .Gene
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. I’ll bet the pilot stops in a traffic lane to put chains on when snowing too.
The prop appears not bent. Was the engine running at landing?
Well he must of did something right,,he’s on the beach, and he walked away. If he wants to sell it for scrap he can find me at [email protected]
Hmmm. Bit of a credibility issue there.
That aircraft was set up perfectly for the type of mission he was attempting. Look at those balloon type tires. I give him credit for setting that aircraft up properly. It just didn’t go as planned. I’m sure it wasn’t his first off run landing.
Get in a car at sea level
Knock off the attempts at beach landings
Especially if you don’t know what or how to do it
I guess they assumed that landing to take a pic was the same as pulling off the interstate on to a scenic overlook to get out and admire the view and snap a selfie. Sheesh!
/J
Precautionary landing…to take a picture — can’t have both!