ABU DHABI // A seaplane crash that killed four Americans in Al Ain nearly three years ago was almost certainly caused by pilot error, a final report into the accident has revealed.
The report, released by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on Thursday, said the plane’s pilot attempted a steep left turn that resulted in a stall and a likely loss of control.
“Technical factors were not contributory to the accident, although the investigation revealed a lack of proper maintenance,” said Ismaeil Abdel Wahed, the assistant director general of Air Accident Investigations at the authority.
“The GCAA investigation revealed that the pilot’s desire to rapidly accomplish a left-turn shortly after take-off and during the initial climb resulted in steep downfall of the aircraft, where recovery of the aircraft control was not possible.”
The antique seaplane, called a Grumman Goose, crashed on the taxiway at Al Ain International Airport less than two minutes after being cleared for take-off on February 27, 2011. All four American airmen onboard were killed instantly.
Landon Studer, 28, was piloting the plane at the time of the crash. The company’s international project manager, Joshua Hucklebridge, also 28, was also onboard, along with two seaplane enthusiasts from the US west coast – Tyler Orsow, 25, and Chuck Kimes, 61, who was also sitting in the cockpit.
The men were en-route to Riyadh for the first leg of a week-long trip that would have made stops in Morocco and South America before ending in Texas.
The cause of the crash is listed in the report as the pilot’s “lapse in judgement and failure to exercise due diligence when he decided to enter into a steep left turn at inadequate height and speed”.
Contributing factors were the pilot’s “self-induced time pressure to rapidly complete the post-maintenance flight” and his lack of recent experience in the aircraft type.
The report said the accident was non-survivable.
The plane had been stored in a hangar at the airport for six months. Maintenance was not performed on the plane until the day of the flight and was limited to general services. An extra fuel tank was added and placed in the cabin.
“The investigation believes that there were no major mechanical defects that could have contributed to the accident,” the report said.
Studer, an accomplished pilot who had served in the US air force, had not flown the type of seaplane for six months and had fewer than 50 hours of experience in that kind of aircraft.
Investigators believe the plane was exceeding its weight limit when it took off. That, combined with Studer’s inexperience, are likely to have been the causes of the crash, the report said.
The pilot may have lost control of the plane or may have been unaware of the danger until it was too late.
Studer never made any attempts to declare an emergency but piloting the aircraft may have prevented him from doing so.
“There was no pressing reason for the pilot to perform the left turn so hastily,” the GCAA report said. “The pilot could have climbed to a higher altitude to help him establish his position and then perform the left turn when the speed and altitude were adequately maintained.
“The investigation concludes that the aircraft was put into a situation from which recovery was not possible.”
The GCAA report also makes safety recommendations to both US and UAE aviation authorities.
Recommendations include improving regulations governing foreign aircraft operations in the UAE and developing a requirement that airports establish procedures to report aircraft parked for a pre-specified period.
The GCAA should also enhance its foreign aircraft safety assessment system to ensure any aircraft parked in a UAE airport for a pre-specified period submit documents to assure that the aircraft is airworthy before a clearance of departure is issued.
The report also recommends that the US federal aviation administration enhance general aviation aircraft worthiness certification and oversight, in addition to airman licensing practices, in line with federal aviation regulations.
jthomas@thenational.ae
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The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.
Women’s team: Mouza Al Shamsi, Wadeema Al Yafei, Reem Al Hashmi, Mahra Al Hanaei, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Hessa Thani, Salwa Al Ali.
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Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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Starring: Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen
Directed by: Bill Condon
Three out of five stars
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
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Results
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Mudaarab, Jim Crowley (jockey), Erwan Charpy (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Richard Mullen, Hassan Al Hammadi.
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Salima Al Reef, Jesus Rosales, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Bainoona, Ricardo Iacopini, Eric Lemartinel.
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: Assyad, Victoria Larsen, Eric Lemartinel.
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1 Dh5,000,000 1,600m
Winner: Mashhur Al Khalediah, Jean-Bernard Eyquem, Phillip Collington.
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Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Allardyce's management career
Clubs (10) - Limerick (1991-1992), Perston North End (1992), Blackpool (1994-1996), Notts County (1997-1999), Bolton Wanderers (1999-2007), Newcastle United (2007-2008), Blackburn Rovers (2008-2010), West Ham United (2011-2015), Sunderland (2016), Crystal Palace (2016-2017)
Countries (1) - England (2016)
Match info
Wolves 0
Arsenal 2 (Saka 43', Lacazette 85')
Man of the match: Shkodran Mustafi (Arsenal)
Scoreline:
Barcelona 2
Suarez 85', Messi 86'
Atletico Madrid 0
Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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RACECARD
6pm Emaar Dubai Sprint – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
6.35pm Graduate Stakes – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.10pm Al Khail Trophy – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 2,810m
7.45pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
8.20pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 2,000m
8.55pm Downtown Dubai Cup – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 1,400m
9.30pm Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,600m
10.05pm Dubai Sprint – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
AGL AWARDS
Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)