CircumFlightN345BT Toerner Bob SEA REY accident
NTSB ERA15CA010 · 2014-10-06 · Tampa, FL
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
The pilot stated that he was conducting a demonstration flight with a passenger onboard in the amphibious experimental amateur-built airplane. He reported that after takeoff, while explaining the operational characteristics of the airplane to his passenger, he forgot to raise the airplane's landing gear as was his custom. Later in the flight, while performing a low-altitude slow flight maneuver over water, the landing gear made contact with the water's surface. The airplane subsequently nosed over into the water and came to rest upright, resulting in substantial damage to the windscreen and front deck. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that could have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Full narrative
The pilot stated that he was conducting a demonstration flight with a passenger onboard in the amphibious experimental amateur-built airplane. He reported that after takeoff, while explaining the operational characteristics of the airplane to his passenger, he forgot to raise the airplane's landing gear as was his custom. Later in the flight, while performing a low-altitude slow flight maneuver over water, the landing gear made contact with the water's surface. The airplane subsequently nosed over into the water and came to rest upright, resulting in substantial damage to the windscreen and front deck. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that could have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear after takeoff, which resulted in the landing gear contacting the water while maneuvering at low altitude. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- NONE
- Ceiling (ft)
- 0
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 120
- Wind speed (kt)
- 9
- Temperature (F)
- 75
- Distance from field
- 0.0
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N345BT | TOERNER BOB | SEA REY | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Low altitude operation/event defining | Climb |
| 2 | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) | Climb |
Findings
| Finding | |
|---|---|
| Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Wheel/ski/float-Incorrect use/operation | cause |
| Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Forgotten action/omission-Pilot | cause |