Maule M-5-235C N56489 accident near Lewisville, Texas

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.

NTSB analysis

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.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10FA164 for the full record.