Ennis Lake, MT, USA
N24YD
David Jarrett Searey
The experimental amphibian seaplane is capable of operating from water, and also from land airports when the retractable landing gear is extended. The pilot took off from a land airport and flew to his intended lake destination, where he intended to make a water landing. The pilot made a normal approach to the lake and the seaplane nosed over when the still extended landing gear wheels came in contact with the water. The forward portion of the seaplane's fuselage was crushed, and the pilot was seriously injured. The pilot subsequently reported that during the accident flight he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with his airplane, and he "had forgotten to retract the landing gear" prior to the water landing.
The pilot initiated the accident flight from the Bozeman Airport. After departure, the pilot flew to his intended Ennis Lake destination, and he proceeded to land. The pilot made a normal approach and touchdown on the lake in his amphibious, experimental seaplane. The seaplane nosed over when the landing gear wheels came in contact with the water. The forward portion of the seaplane's fuselage was crushed, and the pilot was seriously injured. The pilot subsequently reported that during the accident flight he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with his airplane, and he "had forgotten to retract the landing gear" prior to the water landing.
The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear prior to landing on the water.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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