CircumFlightN402E accident
NTSB ERA25LA341 · 2025-09-06 · Beaver Cove, ME · near 3B1
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Factual narrative
After performing a flyby of nearby event, the pilot of the vintage amphibious airplane flew the airplane out over a lake near the seabase. While maneuvering, he attempted to contact people on the ground utilizing the common traffic advisory frequency he had heard people using earlier in the week. After failing to reach anyone, the pilot set the flight controls for a slow descent. Then he used his mobile phone to send a text message asking a friend for the radio frequency in use, and upon reply, changed the frequency. After setting the phone down, the pilot looked up as the airplane impacted the surface of the lake. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the front fuselage and hull, left wing, and both sponsons. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause
The pilot’s distraction and failure to monitor the airplane’s flight path, which resulted in controlled flight into a lake. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Ceiling (ft)
- 0
- Wind direction
- 0
- Temperature (F)
- 66
- Nearest airport
- GREENVILLE MUNI
- Distance from field
- 6.0
- Airport elevation
- 1401
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N402E | — | — | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Maneuvering Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) defining | Climb |