Amateur-built S 12-E N220BL accident near Pahokee, Florida

Probable cause

Undetermined because the wreckage was not recovered.

NTSB analysis

After takeoff, the flight proceeded to a lake, where during an unknown phase of flight, the amphibious airplane came to rest inverted and partially submerged with a portion of the right wing separated. There were no witnesses to the accident, and the airplane was found the following day. The aft section of the hull was above the water, and both main landing gear were submerged and not visible. The pilot was found still strapped into his seat, and his body was recovered. The outer portion of the airplane's right wing, which was found floating near the wreckage, was also recovered. An attempt to recover the airplane from the lake was made about one month after the accident; however, it could not be located. Examination of the separated section of the right wing revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Although a diver who helped recover the pilot's body reported that the airplane's landing gear was damaged, because the airplane was not recovered, no determination could be made as to the position of the landing gear at water contact.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13FA432 for the full record.