The Sad Story About N620N

Real World Aviation Spotting
1

Hello, IFC,

This is a spotting topic…

with a sad twist

July 1, 2020

In the late afternoon, I was having dinner, as I heard a seaplane fly low above my house. I don’t think much of it. 5 minutes later, it happens again.

I assume it will happen a 3rd time, so I get ready to spot it.

There was a nice sunset light, so I decide to practice plane spotting with videos.

It flies circles around me, as I enjoy filming it. It circles for 20ish minutes, then goes away.

I am happy that I was able to capture it with such a nice light, but suddenly, bad news.

This very aircraft was circling, unable to land on the nearby water, and ended up crashing a few minutes after I spotted it.

Just about 5 minutes after I see it, I read an article about a seaplane crashing near me.
I look at the registration, and there it is!

Here are the pictures of it’s last flight before the crash.

Some may not believe me, but I assure you it is true. You can check the exif data on the picture. It is taken in the evening of July 1, 5 minutes before the crash.

Here is the article:

and my photos:

image
image1112×625 66.3 KB

image
image
image833×625 45 KB

image
image833×625 42.5 KB

image
image833×625 68.4 KB

I know these pictures are not up to my usual standard, but keep in mind that these are screenshots from videos.

This is for the story, not for the photos.

It feels strange that I was spotting the aircraft, being completely fine until it crashed just minutes later. Have you ever had a similar experience?

Have a nice day.

Stay safe.

Wear a mask

Robertine

83 Likes
2

Here is a picture of it after the crash
image

credit:

10 Likes
3

good photos

bad aftermath

6 Likes
4

Very interesting, but also sad. At least no one died

7 Likes
5

Yeah no one was hurt right?

1 Like
6

It might be worth trying to get into contact with whoever the owners or people investigating are, a small investigation may be carried out leading to the cause of the accident. The wheels seem to be down both in the air and in the water. 🤔 I don’t know much about seaplanes so may be a gravitational thing. No clue.

5 Likes
7

I don’t think so, it says 2 people rescued and nothing else

1 Like
8

Forgot to retract landing gear before landing on water.

9 Likes
9

Sad story, but good photos. What a coincidence!

I just hope those involved in the crash were/are ok.

1 Like
10

Not too sad nobody died, well… the sad thing is is that those planes cost several hundred thousand dollars.

1 Like
11

did they ever find the cause of the crash?

1 Like
12

Great photos. Sad but at least no one died.

2 Likes
13

I don’t know if it’s official, but the landing gear being down is probably the cause.

1 Like
14

Thankfully everybody survived.

Do you know why he was not able to land?

1 Like
15

how’s it sad? nobody died.

2 Likes
16

Again how is it sad? Nobody died and only minor injuries.

1 Like
17

The wreckage and the hard-earned money saved to buy the airplane.

4 Likes
18

What is sad about the wreckage? that can be cleaned up.

1 Like
19

The hard earned money to buy the airplane now (most likely) written off, which must tear up the family because of the finance commitment. My view, others may vary

4 Likes
20

The pollution as well

2 Likes