Investigation Alaska lake crash dropped?!

[DXB]

https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/03/27/ntsb-ends-investigation-into-plane-that-landed-alaska-lake-after-no-major-damage-reported/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJTtOFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTgT_jIkuOw2z2aUR_hexQrJAXPLWGxfI8PrtDqyViFSVu-piFpYFWUrxg_aem_KsYdNCKQ4td1bJvTBFVAEg

 

It’s very lucky all three folks survived here. Two were completely blameless  juvenile passengers. My main learning points, gleaned from the article:  It turns out that submerging your PA-12 in a lake doesn’t count as an accident per the regs. Also flying with passengers when doing this as a student pilot is totally cool with the FAA.  It appears my understanding of the FARs from PPL training days was completely wrong :/

[MikeOH]

Well, my recollection from PPL training is that the NTSB Part 830 regs are completely separate from those of the FAA.  And, weird as it may seem,  the incident does not rise to the level for them to spend the money and effort to investigate further.  Frankly, what are they going to learn that would be valuable?

As the article says, the FAA is the one to 'investigate' the pilot.... I imagine they'll pull his Student pilot cert

[DXB]

34 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

Well, my recollection from PPL training is that the NTSB Part 830 regs are completely separate from those of the FAA.  And, weird as it may seem,  the incident does not rise to the level for them to spend the money and effort to investigate further.  Frankly, what are they going to learn that would be valuable?

As the article says, the FAA is the one to 'investigate' the pilot.... I imagine they'll pull his Student pilot cert

But how TF did it “not cause significant damage to the aircraft”. Yeah I’m sure that plane will be flying great after a few minor repairs

[Pinecone]

Read the definition of Serious Damage in the NTSB regs.

"Substantial damage means damage or failure which adversely affects the structural strength, performance, or flight characteristics of the aircraft, and which would normally require major repair or replacement of the affected component. Engine failure or damage limited to an engine if only one engine fails or is damaged, bent fairings or cowling, dented skin, small punctured holes in the skin or fabric, ground damage to rotor or propeller blades, and damage to landing gear, wheels, tires, flaps, engine accessories, brakes, or wingtips are not considered “substantial damage” for the purpose of this part."

 

[MikeOH]

2 minutes ago, DXB said:

But how TF did it “not cause significant damage to the aircraft”. Yeah I’m sure that plane will be flying great after a few minor repairs

That criteria is for the necessity of REPORTING an accident (i.e. NOT merely an incident), not whether or not the NTSB is obligated to investigate.  I don't believe Part 830 addresses what criteria NTSB uses to decide if THEY are actually going to investigate a particular accident; that's their internal decision, I believe.

[DXB]

2 hours ago, MikeOH said:

That criteria is for the necessity of REPORTING an accident (i.e. NOT merely an incident), not whether or not the NTSB is obligated to investigate.  I don't believe Part 830 addresses what criteria NTSB uses to decide if THEY are actually going to investigate a particular accident; that's their internal decision, I believe.

True - though he also didn’t report to the FAA in 24hrs, but I guess one can cut him some slack there since he was freezing his ass off in the middle of a lake for the first 12hrs.

[A64Pilot]

In all honesty unless it’s changed recently, Alaska is well, different. Unless they are flying Commercial etc. a very great many pilots if they ever got their license are probably way over due a flight review and Medical? Neatest Dr is hundreds of miles away. I’m not talking about the people that live in Anchorage etc.

Many live out largely by themselves with a Supercub or if they live high off the hog a 180, forget an A&P, where are you going to find one? 

The rules down here in the lower 48 often just aren’t possible to follow, I think everyone understands that. Now since that accident made the news tge FAA will respond, they have to, but if it didn’t It’s likely nothing would happen as there weren’t any fatalities. Commercial, part 135 of course is different as it should be.

I’ve landed my Maule on the AK highway and taxied to the gas station and we ate lunch, they had real long hoses on a couple of the pumps to fuel airplanes, landing on roads is common, try that down here.

[Flyler]

Guys I believe this falls under the jurisdiction of the US Coast guard, the FAA deals with air- not submersible craft.