Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-18AS-125 near Lakeland, FL — 2023-03-22

Final reportERA23LA179
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Date
2023-03-22
Location
Lakeland, FL, USA
Airport
X23
Aircraft
PIPER PA-18AS-125
Registration
N1907A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the landing gear was properly configured for a water landing.

NTSB narrative

After obtaining fuel at a land-based airport, the pilot noted a small leak in the amphibious airplane’s hydraulic landing gear extension/retraction system. He subsequently departed for the accident flight. While the pilot was landing the airplane on a lake, he noticed that the landing gear were still extended; the airplane flipped over immediately upon touchdown and the airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged. Examination of the hydraulic system after the accident confirmed the small leak, but otherwise did not reveal evidence of a failure of the system. Additionally, the airplane was equipped with landing gear position indicating lights that should have alerted the pilot that the landing gear were not fully retracted before touchdown. Had the pilot observed this indication prior to landing, he would likely have aborted the landing attempt and prevented the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked landing gear position before landing on water.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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