Cessna A185F N369E accident near Rockwood, Maine

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear prior to a water landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to medication.

NTSB analysis

The amphibious float-equipped airplane departed from a paved runway for the flight, where a water landing on a lake was to be made. The pilot did not raise the landing gear after takeoff. Upon reaching the destination, the landing gear contacted the water during landing and the airplane abruptly nosed over. The airplane came to rest floating inverted, suspended by the floats. The month preceding the accident the pilot had several medical tests performed and was anticipating surgery for the removal of stomach cancer. While the pilot may have been having difficulty sleeping due to back pain or his impending surgery or possible chemotherapy, the investigation was unable to determine that fatigue was a factor in the accident. His toxicology results indicated recent use of diphenhydramine (an over-the-counter antihistamine) at levels that would have likely been impairing at the time of the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10LA390 for the full record.