Amateur-built Freedom S100 accident near Limestone, Alabama, July 9, 2008
On July 9, 2008 at about 4:17 pm local time, a amateur-built Freedom S100, registered N4450E, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Limestone, Alabama. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons while making a water landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 9, 2008 · about 4:17 pm local time
- Place
- Limestone, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Freedom S100
- Registration
- N4450E · no longer on the register · serial 130-001-028
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was receiving 10 hours of transition training in the S-LSA seaplane from the pilot-rated passenger at the time of the accident. Witnesses stated that they did not see the accident but heard it; they then observed the airplane resting upside down in the water with one wing separated. Examination of the available wreckage did not reveal any evidence of preimpact failures or malfunctions. Examination of the landing gear revealed that it was retracted and undamaged. The main landing gear doors were separated from the hull structure and the gear door's hooks were intact and undamaged. Examination of the right flap attachment actuator found it consistent with a 10- to 15- degree flap-down position. The final position on the global positioning system (GPS) unit found in the wreckage placed the airplane near the accident site. The last calculated velocity and direction of travel was 72 miles per hour (ground speed) with a course of 229 degrees true. Based on the GPS tracklog and the examination of the airplane, the pilot was likely making a water landing at the time of 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 on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Water › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,600 hours in all
- Last flight review: July 9, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 8, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 992 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DCU Decatur AL at 3:53 pm
- Destination: DCU Decatur AL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,300 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from HSV, 24 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.
Other NTSB records under N4450E the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.