Pilot Debrief

BERIEV AIRCRAFT COMPANY BE-103 near Miami, FL — 2009-10-30

Final reportERA10LA042
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Date
2009-10-30
Location
Miami, FL, USA
Airport
X44
Aircraft
BERIEV AIRCRAFT COMPANY BE-103
Registration
N13KL
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

A malfunction of the landing gear retraction/extension and indication system for undetermined reasons, which resulted in one or more components being improperly positioned for the water landing.

NTSB narrative

The owner/pilot was demonstrating the airplane to the two passengers, who were potential buyers. After takeoff, when the pilot retracted the landing gear, two of the three gear position indication lights signaled that the gear was retracted, but the right gear position indicated that the landing gear was still in transit. The pilot re-cycled the landing gear, and all three lights indicated that the landing gear was retracted. After an otherwise normal flight, the pilot decided to demonstrate a water landing. During touchdown, the right side of the airplane "dragged," and the left wing struck the water abnormally. The airplane remained afloat. Witnesses reported that they observed the airplane land with one landing gear extended. Postaccident examination revealed that one of the springs on the landing gear up-latch assembly was stretched, for undetermined reasons. No additional details were provided for the investigation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the water landing after gear indication issues.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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