Probable cause
The airplane’s collision with a submerged log during a water landing.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were completing water landings in the amphibious airplane. They had already completed several landings on the same pond without incident. During the accident landing, upon touchdown the airplane impacted a submerged log, which punctured a large hole in the hull. The pilots egressed without further incident and the airplane sank. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA287 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 8, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Big Prairie, Michigan
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
LA-4
- N-number
- N993PT
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1966
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.