Fri, Oct 28, 2011
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.
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