Maxfly Inc/Mckay Wm SEAREY accident near Polk City, Florida, April 11, 2013
On April 11, 2013 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Maxfly Inc/Mckay Wm SEAREY, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N914WM, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Polk City, Florida (Orlampa Incorporated Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper installation of incorrect attachment hardware by maintenance personnel during an undocumented repair, which resulted in an in-flight structural failure and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the covering of the inspection port during the undocumented repair, which made it impossible for pilots or mechanics to inspect the attachment hardware for problems.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 11, 2013 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Polk City, Florida · Orlampa Incorporated Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maxfly Inc/Mckay Wm SEAREY, amateur-built
- Registration
- N914WM · no longer on the register · serial 1DK290C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the amateur-built amphibian airplane performed normally during taxi operations and takeoff from the surface of the lake. About 100 feet above the lake, the pilot heard a "loud bang or crashing sound," and the airframe then twisted. The airplane entered an uncontrolled, spiraling descent until it contacted the water. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right/forward wing strut joint was disconnected from the leading edge and that the attachment bolts were fractured. Further examination revealed that the bolts were installed after the airplane's original assembly and that they were shorter than the prescribed bolts and had been installed opposite the prescribed direction, which likely resulted in fatigue cracking and the eventual shearing of the bolts during the accident flight. Further examination of the wreckage revealed that the inspection port for the right wing strut attachment area had been covered during a previous, undocumented repair, which made it difficult for pilots or maintenance personnel to inspect the attachment hardware.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Aircraft structural failure during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Attach fittings (on wing) › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › Attach fittings (on wing) › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Replacement › Maintenance personnel
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Modification/alteration › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,980 hours in all; 745 in this make and model; 32 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 3,945 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 880 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 6, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax SEE BOMBADIER (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Fly Away INC
The flight
- Departed from: FA08 Polk City FL at 9:30 pm
- Destination: FA08 Polk City FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 12 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,400 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from KGIF, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.