Amateur-built Searey accident near Polkland, Florida, December 20, 2008
On December 20, 2008 at about 7:36 pm local time, a amateur-built Searey, registered N628MS, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Polkland, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control during the initial climb for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 20, 2008 · about 7:36 pm local time
- Place
- Polkland, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Searey
- Registration
- N628MS · no longer on the register · serial 1DK098
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he taxied out, verified that the amphibian airplane was configured properly, and completed all checklists. The airplane departed normally from the lake, in a southwest direction. While climbing through about 50 feet above ground level, and approaching a tree line surrounding the lake, the airplane began an uncommanded roll to the right. He then applied full aileron and rudder authority; however, he was unable to control the roll. The airplane continued to roll until it impacted the water. The pilot had approximately 220 hours of flight experience in the accident airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no preaccident mechanical problems; the wings and fuselage exhibited signs of impact damage, and flight control continuity was confirmed on all surfaces. Weather observations in the vicinity of the accident site reported winds out of the west and southwest at 10 knots or less. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction prior to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Unknown or undetermined during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, flight engineer, military, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 13,000 hours in all; 220 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 4,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 1, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 15, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 1,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Polkland FL at 7:36 pm
- Destination: NONE Polkland FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,700 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from ORL, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.