Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to ensure that the landing gear was properly configured for a water landing.
NTSB analysis
After obtaining fuel at a land-based airport, the pilot noted a small leak in the amphibious airplane’s hydraulic landing gear extension/retraction system. He subsequently departed for the accident flight. While the pilot was landing the airplane on a lake, he noticed that the landing gear were still extended; the airplane flipped over immediately upon touchdown and the airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged.
Examination of the hydraulic system after the accident confirmed the small leak, but otherwise did not reveal evidence of a failure of the system. Additionally, the airplane was equipped with landing gear position indicating lights that should have alerted the pilot that the landing gear were not fully retracted before touchdown. Had the pilot observed this indication prior to landing, he would likely have aborted the landing attempt and prevented the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA23LA179 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 22, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lakeland, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Umatilla Muni (X23)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-18AS-125
- N-number
- N1907A
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1952
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.