Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to properly configure the landing gear before performing a water landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the amphibious experimental airplane reported that, after takeoff from a runway, he became distracted and forgot to retract the landing gear. He then flew the airplane to a river; during the approach for landing, he announced that the gear was retracted but did not visually confirm it, and the airplane subsequently landed in the river with the landing gear extended. After touchdown, the airplane immediately nosed down and partially sank.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 2, 2019, about 1130 Pacific standard time, an experimental Progressive Aerodyne Searey amphibious airplane, N24YD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Sacramento, California. The private pilot received minor injuries and the passenger succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident 14 days later. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. During a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that he had departed from Napa County Airport (APC), Napa, California, about 1050 with the intent of landing on the American River. After takeoff, he became distracted when he heard another airplane taking off in his direction and he forgot to retract the landing gear. When he arrived at the river, he conducted a normal approach and extended the flaps to 20°. He verbally announced that the landing gear was retracted, but he did not visually confirm it. Just before touchdown, the pilot realized that the landing gear had not been retracted, and the airplane touched down on the water with the gear extended. The airplane nosed down and became partially submerged. The pilot reported that he experienced difficulty egressing the airplane and was not able to egress until after it had partially sank. He then extracted the passenger from the airplane.