On the Record: Coot—Wisconsin

Experimental Aviator
Updated:
Ron Wanttaja
By Ron Wanttaja
View of the interior forward left hull that separated from amphibious airplane (Photo: FAA)
Taylor Coot example (not the accident airplane). (Photo: By Steeves – Own work, Public Domain)

June 6, 2018

During takeoff from a lake, a Taylor Coot amphibian bounced twice, but on the third bounce, the hull “gave way.” Water entered the airplane, and the pilot exited through the canopy.

The pilot reported that the hull had been repaired previously, but it still had “some leakage” after the repair. Substantial damage was sustained to the forward left side of the hull where the sponson was attached. Photographs provided by the FAA showed long-term water damage to the plywood and fiberglass hull structure.

View of the exterior forward left hull that separated from amphibious airplane (Photo: FAA)

NTSB Final Report

NTSB Docket

Ron Wanttaja
Ron Wanttaja
Ron Wanttaja is a retired space systems engineer. During a 40-year career, he helped design, build, test, launch, and operate 18 spacecraft, including the International Space Station. On the aviation side, he has owned a Bowers Fly Baby since 1996 and flew the original prototype for seven years before acquiring his own. He lives just outside of Portland, Oregon, with his wife, romance novelist Lisa McAllister.

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Tom Waarne
Tom Waarne
29 days ago

Better it let go on the water than finding out that there could be other structural problems when some turbulence is encountered. Taking off and landing on water is a hard surface with no shock absorbing except you in the pilot’s seat.

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