Pilot Debrief

MAULE M-5-235C near Lewisville, TX — 2010-03-18

Final reportCEN10FA164
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Date
2010-03-18
Location
Lewisville, TX, USA
Aircraft
MAULE M-5-235C
Registration
N56489
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot did not retract the landing gear before a water landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot did not use a checklist.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot did not use a checklist.

NTSB narrative

Following a short cross-country flight, the pilot performed a water landing with the amphibious float-equipped airplane. During touchdown, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, partially submerged in water. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the pilot had landed with the landing gear in the extended position. The examination also revealed that the floats were equipped with four visual landing gear position indicators, all of which indicated that the landing gear was in the extended position. According to a “Before Landing On Water” checklist for the amphibious floats, the landing gear position (retracted) was to be confirmed visually before landing. No preimpact anomalies were identified during the examination that would have precluded the airplane from operating normally.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not confirm landing gear position before attempting water landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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