Amateur-built SEAREY 1DK accident near Morganton, North Carolina, May 17, 2000
On May 17, 2000 at about 11:30 pm local time, a amateur-built SEAREY 1DK, registered N8096A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Morganton, North Carolina. 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
The inadvertent forward elevator input by the pilot-in-command while reducing throttle control resulting in the airplane nose-over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 2000 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Morganton, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SEAREY 1DK
- Registration
- N8096A · no longer on the register · serial 104
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that after takeoff he performed airwork then flew towards Lake James and landed on the water that had 2-3 inch ripples. After touchdown he climbed about 1 foot above the water then elected to land on the water where he planned a full stop landing. After the second landing, he reduced the throttle control and noted that the airplane immediately nosed over. He further stated that this was his first time landing on the water after building the airplane. Post accident examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the main and tail wheel were retracted. He also stated that the throttle was stiff and when he retarded the throttle, he may have pushed on the yoke.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 268 hours in all; 8 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 160 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, May 8, 2000; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,370 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3NC0 Morganton NC at 10:30 pm
- Destination: NONE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 11,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:00 pm from MRN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.