Amateur-built SEAREY N40DJ accident near Tavares, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper flare during a bounced water landing, which resulted in a nose-down and submersion of the airplane’s open cockpit in the water.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the experimental amateur-built amphibous airplane reported that the wind was variable at 4 knots while he was attempting to land on a lake. The approach was normal; however, the airplane bounced 1 to 3 ft upon touchdown. The pilot opted not to abort the landing and recalled that when the airplane next contacted the water, the (open) cockpit was filled with water. The forward portion of the fuselage was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, and that the accident could have been prevented with more training on “…the importance of keeping the nose up during water landings.”

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA124 for the full record.