Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilots’ failure to position the landing gear for landing on the water, which resulted in a nose-over.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a landing on still, glassy water, the single-engine amphibian airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The flight instructor reported that, before landing, neither the regular airplane checklist nor his personal checklist had been used. The pilot receiving instruction, who was also the owner of the airplane, added that they were in a rush and forgot to use the checklist. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left landing gear was extended and the right landing gear was partially retracted. Further examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, firewall, and door frames.
Source record
Factual narrative
During a glassy water landing the single-engine amphibian airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The certified flight instructor reported that prior to landing neither the regular airplane checklist nor his personal GUMPS checklist had been used. The pilot receiving instruction, who was also the owner of the airplane, added that they were just in a rush and forgot to use the checklist. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration safety inspector revealed that the left landing gear was extended and the right landing gear was partially retracted. Further examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage, firewall, and door frames.