Amateur-built SEAREY accident near Haverhill, New Hampshire, July 29, 2018
On July 29, 2018 at about 4:05 pm local time, a 2006 amateur-built SEAREY, registered N221EZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Haverhill, New Hampshire. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering the airplane at a very low altitude in a confined area while attempting to land on a river.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 2018 · about 4:05 pm local time
- Place
- Haverhill, New Hampshire · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SEAREY No Series, built 2006
- Registration
- N221EZ · registry record · serial ID403C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot took off in the experimental, amateur-built amphibious airplane from a river, which was about 100 ft wide and lined with trees on both sides, and initiated a right 180° turn. He then made a left teardrop turn about 50 ft above ground level over a flat cornfield to make a 45° re-entry to land back on the river. When the airplane crossed over the river's shoreline, the pilot attempted to turn left and line up with the river; however, according to the pilot, the control stick would not move past the vertical position. He added power, but the airplane was unable to climb above trees on the opposite side of the river. The airplane collided with the trees and descended into the water. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed both wings had been removed during recovery, but the flight controls moved freely when manually manipulated. The pilot said the airplane's automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) component, which was attached to the control panel via a suction cup, may have come loose during the flight and become caught under the flight control assembly, thus jamming the flight controls. He demonstrated how an object could get caught under the controls; however, neither he nor the passenger could confirm that this happened on the accident flight, and examination of the ADS-B component did not reveal any physical damage. The pilot said that he would normally climb above the surrounding terrain before coming back to land; however, during this flight, he did not give himself an "out" in case of an emergency. His decision to maneuver the airplane below surrounding terrain in a confined area left insufficient altitude to troubleshoot a perceived flight control issue, and he was unable to remain clear of trees.
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 maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Decision related to condition
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 760 hours in all; 498 in this make and model; 20.8 in the last 90 days; 13.5 in the last 30 days; 700 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 23, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 735.5 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 15, 2017; 83 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,430 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 914ULS (piston); 754 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Haverhill NH at 4:00 pm
- Destination: Haverhill NH
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 3:00 pm from LCI, 40 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
8 documents, released by the NTSB on November 26, 2019. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Record of Exam and Interview - Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Record of Conversation - Passenger | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Pilot's Hand Drawn Map of Takeoff and Flight Path to Impact | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | NTSB Record of Conversation - Lee Avery, Sbi Aircraft Services | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | NTSB Summary of Email - FAA | PDF, 1 page | 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.