Probable cause
The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear, which resulted in a gear-down water landing and a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of an amphibious airplane reported that he departed a hard surfaced runway and flew to a lake about 3 nautical miles away. He further reported that after takeoff he failed to retract the landing gear and during the touchdown on the lake, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that he did not use a checklist during the flight.
The fuselage and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA509 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 17, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Lakeport, California
- Nearest airport
- Lampson Field (1O2)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Grumman G44
- N-number
- N111W
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1945
- 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.