Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot misjudged his altitude over glassy water during landing and inadvertently touched down in a flat attitude.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated he encountered glassy water as he initiated his landing flare. He then lost all depth perception and before he initiate a go-around the aircraft inadvertently touched down in a flat attitude and nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 17, 1993, about 1230 eastern standard time, a Grumman G-44A, N58DG, registered to David S. Garber, crashed while landing on Lake Griffin, Leesburg, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the airline transport-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated at Leesburg Municipal Airport, Leesburg, Florida, on December 17, 1993, at 1225. The pilot stated he was landing on Lake Griffin and planned to terminate the flight on the ramp behind his house. While in the landing flare he encountered glassy water and lost all depth perception. Before he could initiate a go-around the aircraft touched down inadvertently in a flat attitude and the aircraft immediately flipped tail over nose. The aircraft came to rest inverted in the water and remained afloat. -