Landing in the Lake - IFR

[Tom-D]

Last Tuesday we had the storm of the century, our ceilings were less than 500' winds were up to 55 mph and it was raining to reduce vis to less than a mile.
As we rode past Cambell lake ( just north of NUW) we see this anphib aircraft drop out of the clouds and land on the lake, taxi side ways to their air up.
I don't believe there is an approved approach to Cambell Lake.

What rules were broken. ?

 

[Hank S]

You can do a lot with Special VFR, just maintain ground contact. You can do even more when you declare an Emergency.

What rules do you think he broke? (Or is this question rhetorical? Hard to tell sometimes on the interweb.)

 

[Tom-D]

You can do a lot with Special VFR, just maintain ground contact. You can do even more when you declare an Emergency.

What rules do you think he broke? (Or is this question rhetorical? Hard to tell sometimes on the interweb.)

Unless he had a home made a GPS approach, there is no radar facility good enough to get him in that lake.

NUW's radar is good, but it can't see that lake, because like every other lake it sets in a bowl with higher terrain all around. I could not guess if he were on a IFR Flight plan.

 

[gismo]

Unless he had a home made a GPS approach, there is no radar facility good enough to get him in that lake.

NUW's radar is good, but it can't see that lake, because like every other lake it sets in a bowl with higher terrain all around. I could not guess if he were on a IFR Flight plan.

If radar coverage is really good in that area and there are no obstructions near the lake (or the lake is really big) the MVA over the middle of the lake might be pretty low. If the pilot could get below the clouds at the MVA and was in an area where Class E doesn't go to the ground it might be possible to make that landing legally. That said AFaIK the MVA is going to be at least 1000 AGL and at or above the Class E floor.

 

[Kritchlow]

If radar coverage is really good in that area and there are no obstructions near the lake (or the lake is really big) the MVA over the middle of the lake might be pretty low. If the pilot could get below the clouds at the MVA and was in an area where Class E doesn't go to the ground it might be possible to make that landing legally. That said AFaIK the MVA is going to be at least 1000 AGL and at or above the Class E floor.

He said there are obstructions (terrain). Even so, I have never seen an MVA as low as 500 feet.

Not sure about today's world with GPS approaches, but years ago there were a few (NDB?) instrument approaches to seaports.

 

[James331]

You sure he went through a cloud, not through a opening, or on the other side of a cloud that you couldn't see from your vantage point?

You sure the ceiling at that lake was that low? Could be higher than whatever reporting station you got your numbers from, and judging ceilings like that is very hit or miss.


Maybe ask the guy next time you see him

You can do a lot with Special VFR, just maintain ground contact. You can do even more when you declare an Emergency.

What rules do you think he broke? (Or is this question rhetorical? Hard to tell sometimes on the interweb.)

Indeed.

Or with golf airspace.

 

[Brad Z]

Last Tuesday we had the storm of the century, our ceilings were less than 500' winds were up to 55 mph and it was raining to reduce vis to less than a mile.
As we rode past Cambell lake ( just north of NUW) we see this anphib aircraft drop out of the clouds and land on the lake, taxi side ways to their air up.
I don't believe there is an approved approach to Cambell Lake.

What rules were broken. ?

We don't know the details, but perhaps 91.155, 91.169, 91.175, and or 91.177?

Or potentially nothing.

 

[Shawn]

What rules were broken. ?

Did he land safely?...then probably not many.

Was there in incident?...then the FAA will probably find a laundry list!

 

[James331]

Also quite possible he shot the approach into skagit, broke out and continued to the lake, possibly even coordinated with whidby.

 

[Tom-D]

Also quite possible he shot the approach into skagit, broke out and continued to the lake, possibly even coordinated with Whidbey.

Not with ceilings at 300-400 feet, he didn't.

I saw him land,(splash) he was not out of the clouds 10-15 seconds.
NAS can't see the lake on radar. And they would not bless this with a clearance.

No one in their right mind would be out flying in weather like it was here Tuesday

 

[Tom-D]

Also quite possible he shot the approach into skagit, broke out and continued to the lake, possibly even coordinated with WHIDBEY.

Had ATC been involved, they would have him declare an emergency for weather and vectored him into the station for safety sake. ......... then called FSDO. and maybe EMTs

 

[marcoseddi]

Interesting stuff..

 

[Tom-D]

Interesting stuff..

Flying here in Puget Sound on last Tuesday, would be like launching a 172 into Hurricane With Ice at 4500' and a devert field 1000 miles away.