The airplane crashed into Lake Harris at about 2030 Eastern time while attempting to land. Visual conditions prevailed; the airplane was substantially damaged. The Private pilot sustained minor injuries while the passenger was not injured. The pilot subsequently stated that, after flying locally, he waited for thunderstorms to move away from the airport. He then flew to the airport and entered the traffic pattern but performed a go-around. He reentered the traffic pattern and, while on the base leg, he noted the precision approach path indicator lights indicated the airplane was low. He added full power but the engine did not respond. He turned onto final approach and after recognizing that he would be unable to land on the runway, elected to ditch the airplane. He and the passenger exited the airplane and were in the water approximately two hours before being rescued.
May 11, 2006, Leesburg, Fla. / Cessna 152
The airplane crashed into Lake Harris at about 2030 Eastern time while attempting to land. Visual conditions prevailed; the airplane was substantially damaged. The Private pilot sustained minor injuries while the passenger was not injured. The pilot subsequently stated that, after flying locally, he waited for thunderstorms to move away from the airport. He then flew to the airport and entered the traffic pattern but performed a go-around. He reentered the traffic pattern and, while on the base leg, he noted the precision approach path indicator lights indicated the airplane was low. He added full power but the engine did not respond. He turned onto final approach and after recognizing that...
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane ditched into Lake Harris during a landing attempt after the pilot, observing a low approach via PAPI lights, added full power but the engine failed to respond.
- The pilot had previously performed a go-around and, upon re-entering the traffic pattern, elected to ditch the aircraft after recognizing he could not land on the runway.
- The substantially damaged airplane resulted in minor injuries for the pilot and no injuries for the passenger; both were rescued after approximately two hours in the water.
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