Pilot Debrief

MAULE M 7-235B near Littleton, NC — 2016-04-24

Final reportERA16LA181
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Date
2016-04-24
Location
Littleton, NC, USA
Airport
NONE
Aircraft
MAULE M 7-235B
Registration
N367FS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent damage to the left float.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot had owned the amphibious airplane for 3 weeks, and had performed about 30 water landings in the airplane. The pilot stated that, during takeoff on the accident flight, the airplane was veering "severely" to the left; however, he continued the takeoff. The flight was unremarkable, and the pilot returned to the lake to land the airplane. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered to the left, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The passenger stated that the airplane bounced during the landing, and a witness stated that the airplane landed "hard" on the water, bounced about 10 ft into the air, then impacted the water again. Examination of the left float skin revealed signatures consistent with overstress failure. It is likely that the pilot's hard, bounced landing resulted in the failure of the left float skin.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing after noticing severe left veer during takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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