Primary finding
Probable cause
The proper touchdown point was misjudged by the pilot. During the go-around attempt, he failed to maintain clearance from obstacles.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The recently certificated seaplane pilot elected to attempt a go-around from his approach to land at the seaplane base, after determining that he was too close to shore to touch down. The aircraft impacted trees and other objects, including an occupied automobile, during the go-around attempt.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 22, 1994, at 1605 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M floatplane, N73175, sustained substantial damage when it impacted property and terrain during a go-around from a landing in the harbor near the Kenmore Air Harbor facility in Seattle, Washington. The private pilot and his wife sustained minor injuries, and two persons on the ground also received minor injuries when their automobile and the aircraft collided. There was no flight plan filed for the flight, which had originated in the harbor about a half hour earlier. The pilot stated to FAA inspectors that he had come in high, elected to go around, and retracted the flaps. He noted that his climb rate was between 150 and 200 feet per minute. The aircraft struck antennas, wires, a satellite dish and two vehicles on the surface. The accident occurred on Highway 522, and closed down traffic for about three hours during rush hour traffic. -