Summary
On July 09, 2008, a David Jarrett Searey (N24YD) was involved in an accident near Ennis Lake, MT. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear prior to landing on the water.
The pilot initiated the accident flight from the Bozeman Airport. After departure, the pilot flew to his intended Ennis Lake destination, and he proceeded to land. The pilot made a normal approach and touchdown on the lake in his amphibious, experimental seaplane. The seaplane nosed over when the landing gear wheels came in contact with the water. The forward portion of the seaplane's fuselage was crushed, and the pilot was seriously injured. The pilot subsequently reported that during the accident flight he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with his airplane, and he "had forgotten to retract the landing gear" prior to the water landing.
This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX08CA220. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N24YD.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear prior to landing on the water.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot initiated the accident flight from the Bozeman Airport. After departure, the pilot flew to his intended Ennis Lake destination, and he proceeded to land. The pilot made a normal approach and touchdown on the lake in his amphibious, experimental seaplane. The seaplane nosed over when the landing gear wheels came in contact with the water. The forward portion of the seaplane's fuselage was crushed, and the pilot was seriously injured. The pilot subsequently reported that during the accident flight he had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with his airplane, and he "had forgotten to retract the landing gear" prior to the water landing.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX08CA220