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 crashed into Lake Harris during a landing attempt after the pilot noted being low on the base leg and the engine failed to respond to added power.
- The pilot, having previously performed a go-around due to thunderstorms moving away, made the decision to ditch the plane after realizing a runway landing was not possible.
- The pilot sustained minor injuries, the passenger was uninjured, and both were rescued approximately two hours after exiting the substantially damaged aircraft.
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