Airmax Construcoes Aeronautica SEAMAX-M22 accident near New Fairfield, Connecticut, September 15, 2017
On September 15, 2017 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 2011 Airmax Construcoes Aeronautica SEAMAX-M22, registered N885PR, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near New Fairfield, Connecticut (Lake airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Collision with a submerged object during a water landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 15, 2017 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- New Fairfield, Connecticut · Lake · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Airmax Construcoes Aeronautica SEAMAX-M22 NO SERIES, built 2011
- Registration
- N885PR · no longer on the register · serial 113
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot of the amphibious airplane reported that he performed a fly-by of the lake he intended to land on to ensure that there were no boats or obstacles in the water. Seeing none and observing calm conditions, he conducted the landing, during which the airplane impacted a submerged object. The impact compromised the hull allowing water to enter, and the airplane subsequently sank. Pine and bark debris was found in the damaged area of the hull. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Hidden/submerged object › Awareness of condition
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › (general) › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: instrument airplane
- Flight time: 1,515 hours in all; 16 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 1, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 503.9 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 21, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 (piston); 504 hours total
- Operator: Waterbird Holdings LLC
The flight
- Departed from: FOK Westhampton Beach NY at 7:30 pm
- Destination: NONE New Fairfield CT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,900 ft; clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from DXR, 6 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
4 documents, released by the NTSB on October 16, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation_faa and Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array_accident Site and Damage | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.