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Accidents · NTSB WPR23LA186 · Final report

Aviat Aircraft INC A-1C-180 Husky accident near Lakewood, Washington, May 9, 2023

On May 9, 2023 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 2019 Aviat Aircraft INC A-1C-180 Husky, registered N416AG, was destroyed in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Lakewood, Washington (Lake Steilacoom airport). 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

An erroneous landing gear warning that led to the pilot’s decision to abort the landing, which resulted in a collision with trees during a go-around.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
May 9, 2023 · about 7:15 pm local time
Place
Lakewood, Washington · Lake Steilacoom · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
2 people were seriously injured.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Aviat Aircraft INC A-1C-180 Husky, built 2019 · all A-1C-180 Huskys on the register
Registration
N416AG · no longer on the register · serial 3329
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot and passenger reported they visually confirmed that the landing gear were up and the corresponding blue lights on the gear position indicator panel were illuminated, indicating all the gear were up during the normal approach for a water landing. About 2 to 3 ft above the water, the Landing Gear Advisory System (LGAS) gave an aural “CHECK GEAR” advisory, indicating a landing gear mismatch with the terrain. The pilot was unable to visually confirm the left nose landing gear was fully retracted (UP) and elected to go around. The airplane subsequently impacted trees on climbout and descended to impact the driveway of a residence. A postimpact fire ensued. The lake the pilot intended to land on was about 1.5 miles long from the north to south. However, it was dissected in the middle by a peninsula and a roadway bridge. The landing area chosen by the pilot took him over his house and provided an available water distance of about 3,370 ft, with rising terrain and tall trees directly at the end. If the pilot had approached over the bridge, the water distance would have increased about an additional 900 ft. The pilot reported the wind was calm at the time of the landing. It is unknown how much distance the pilot had remaining over the water when he executed the go-around. The airplane’s LGAS is advisory in nature and should not replace a visual check of the gear. However, the airplane flight manual (AFM) supplement for the float system states that anytime an annunciation occurs below 50 ft above ground level (agl), the pilot should initiate an immediate go-around, regardless of the alert. Only if the gear position is absolutely confirmed should the landing be continued. After hearing the advisory, the pilot was unable to confirm the left nose gear was up and he followed the AFM guidance by initiating a go-around. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunction. Examination of the floats and landing gear revealed the gear was in the retracted (UP) position.

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

  1. Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during approach (VFR go-around)
  2. Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
  3. Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR go-around) defining event

The NTSB's findings

  • Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
  • Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Gear position and warning › Malfunction
  • Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
  • Flight time: 1,297 hours in all; 37 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days
  • Last flight review: February 2, 2023
  • Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: frt
  • Injury: serious injuries

Pilot-Rated Passenger

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: single-engine land
  • Flight time: 120 hours in all; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 62 as pilot in command
  • Last flight review: January 16, 2021
  • Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: rear
  • Injury: serious injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 241 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2023; 38 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 2,250 lb
  • Seats: 2
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1P (piston); 241 hours total
  • Fire on the ground

The flight

  • Departed from: OLM Olympia WA at 6:01 pm
  • Flight plan: none
  • A second pilot was aboard

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 340° at 5 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
  • Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
  • Observation at 11:55 am from KTCM, 2 miles away

Weather report (METAR): METAR KTCM 091855Z AUTO 34005KT 10SM SCT036 16/07 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP203 T01560071 $=

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew2

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

8 documents, released by the NTSB on June 26, 2024. 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.

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.