Pilot Failed to Retract The Landing Gear On The Amphib

The NTSB has released its probable cause report in a floatplane accident which occurred August 1st, 2010, in which a 64-year-old ATP rated pilot was fatally injured. A passenger on board the aircraft survived the accident.

According to the report, the amphibious float-equipped airplane departed from a paved runway for the flight, where a water landing on a lake was to be made. The pilot did not raise the landing gear after takeoff. Upon reaching the destination, the landing gear contacted the water during landing and the airplane abruptly nosed over. The airplane came to rest floating inverted, suspended by the floats. The month preceding the accident the pilot had several medical tests performed and was anticipating surgery for the removal of stomach cancer. While the pilot may have been having difficulty sleeping due to back pain or his impending surgery or possible chemotherapy, the investigation was unable to determine that fatigue was a factor in the accident. His toxicology results indicated recent use of diphenhydramine (an over-the-counter antihistamine) at levels that would have likely been impairing at the time of the accident.

According to a statement given by the passenger to an FAA inspector and the Maine State Police, just prior to the airplane making contact with the water, the pilot made a verbal expression and immediately after making contact with the water, the airplane went to the left and nosed over. She also informed the FAA inspector that they departed a paved surface at 8B0. The passenger reported to the Maine State Police that on the morning of the accident, the pilot "wasn't feeling well;" however, after breakfast "he was feeling much better and felt he was fine to fly." She also reported that "they had a normal flight" and the area of the accident was "the same area he always lands."

The NTSB determined the probable cause(s) of this accident to be the pilot's failure to retract the landing gear prior to a water landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to medication.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov