The pilot in the amphibious float-equipped de Havilland DHC 2 reported that his intent was to perform a water landing. On the downwind leg of the approach, he performed his prelanding checks from memory and he confirmed that the three green landing gear safe lights were illuminated. However, he told investigators, “I should have looked for blue lights.”
He landed on the water with the landing gear wheels extended. The airplane pitched forward and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing, the empennage, and the windscreen.
The pilot asserted that, “I should have used a checklist once airborne. Both the after takeoff and before landing checks would have saved me from this event.”
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to retract the amphibious float’s landing gear wheels before landing on the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to use the after takeoff and before landing checklists.
Our experienced reviewer recommends “gear up” on an amphib after every take-off, then an aware decision is made for every landing (backed by a checklist). This unfamiliar operation caught this jet pilot – three green is “normal” for landing (we are creatures of habit). Thankfully he survived.
This May 2019 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.
