According to the pilot in the experimental, amateur-built, amphibious airplane, during a water landing in Welaka, Florida, he “decided that the nose was slightly high.”
He applied forward pressure on the Searey’s control stick, the nose pitched down, and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward right-wing lift strut and windshield.
The pilot had accumulated 3.8 hours of flight time in the airplane. He asserted that more training could have prevented the accident.
While he had a private pilot certificate, the pilot did not have a seaplane rating.
Probable cause: The pilot’s incorrect pitch input during a water landing, which resulted in a nose-over. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inadequate training and experience in the make and model airplane.
NTSB Identification: GAA18CA212
This April 2018 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.
