Probable cause
The flight instructor's failure to properly configure the landing gear before performing a water landing.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot/owner of the amphibious airplane was receiving instruction to obtain his seaplane rating. After the pilot receiving instruction took off from a runway, the flight instructor took control of the airplane to demonstrate a water landing. While maneuvering for the water landing, the flight instructor reported he was distracted by static over the intercom system and failed to reconfigure the landing gear to the retracted position for a landing on water. Upon touching down on the water, the airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane quickly became submerged in water and the pilots removed their restraints, opened the canopy, and swam away from the wreckage.
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA313 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 6, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Eustis, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Lake Yale (NONE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
SEAREY
- N-number
- N222D
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2005
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.