Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to retract the landing gear during a water landing, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly use a prelanding checklist.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the amphibious float plane departed from a lake to a local airfield to refuel. After refueling, he departed the airport but neglected to retract the landing gear and he flew back to the same lake. During the touchdown, the float plane nosed over, and the engine truss was substantially damaged. The pilot added that he would modify his takeoff and prelanding checklist procedure to better verify the configuration of the landing gear.
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR20CA243 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 28, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Hunts Point, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Seaplane Scenics Carillon Poin (WA32)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Quest KODIAC 100
- N-number
- N856TC
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2010
- 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.