Aircraft: Murphy Rebel. Injuries: None. Location: Hayden Lake, Idaho. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The owner of the amphibious airplane was receiving instruction from a CFI. The accident happened when the pilot was attempting to land on glassy water.
According to the CFI, the pilot did not use the airplane’s checklist and the CFI did not use his personal checklist to verify the position of the landing gear prior to touch down. The landing gear should be up for a a water landing. The airplane flipped when it hit the water.
The post-accident examination revealed that the left landing gear was extended and the right landing gear was partially retracted. The pilot receiving instruction said they were in a rush and forgot to use the checklist.
Probable cause: The pilots’ failure to position the landing gear for landing on the water, which resulted in a nose-over.
NTSB Identification: WPR12CA234
This May 2012 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
How nice, why even pay a CFI to go for a ride