Maule M 7-235B N367FS accident near Littleton, North Carolina

Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent damage to the left float.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot had owned the amphibious airplane for 3 weeks, and had performed about 30 water landings in the airplane. The pilot stated that, during takeoff on the accident flight, the airplane was veering "severely" to the left; however, he continued the takeoff. The flight was unremarkable, and the pilot returned to the lake to land the airplane. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered to the left, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The passenger stated that the airplane bounced during the landing, and a witness stated that the airplane landed "hard" on the water, bounced about 10 ft into the air, then impacted the water again. Examination of the left float skin revealed signatures consistent with overstress failure. It is likely that the pilot's hard, bounced landing resulted in the failure of the left float skin.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA16LA181 for the full record.