Progressive Aerodyne Inc SEAREY LSA N796SR accident near Lake Ashby, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot's incorrect configuration of the landing gear for a water landing in an amphibious airplane, which resulted in a nose-over.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the special light sport, amphibious airplane stated that he had planned a local personal sightseeing flight, which included departing from an airport, landing on a lake about 20 miles away, then returning to the departure airport. During the approach to landing on the lake, the pilot left the landing gear in the extended position, which was the wrong position for a water landing. Once the airplane touched down on water, it decelerated quickly, nosed over, and then came to rest inverted. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. When the airplane was recovered from the lake, damage was observed on both wings and the fuselage. The landing gear were observed in the extended position, and the landing gear selector was also in the landing gear extended position.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA17CA236 for the full record.