This is an excerpt from a report made to the Aviation Safety Reporting System. The narrative is written by the pilot, rather than FAA or NTSB officials. To maintain anonymity, many details, such as aircraft model or airport, are often scrubbed from the reports.
Giving a demonstration ride in an amphibious Piper PA-18. Pilot friend was in front seat and briefed on location and operation of controls, procedures, and hazards as almost all of these are hidden from my view in the rear seat.
Winds were out of southwest at 10 knots, and after liftoff front seat pilot was commenting about the rolling tendency of the aircraft with floats as we had discussed.
Normally gear would be retracted at this time.
Enroute to lake I was keeping an eye on boat traffic on the lake to determine where we could operate without disrupting the fishermen in the area. I found a location away from boats and into the wind and we descended to survey the area, not intending to land just yet.
As we flew over the area at about 50 feet above the water I saw a nice, clear patch of water ahead and decided last second to dip in for a touch and go.
Having not performed my usual “routine” before doing so, I missed that the landing gear had not been retracted and when we touched down the airplane came to displacement quickly enough to tip to the front.
We sat in the aircraft for a moment hoping it would sit back down on the heel of the floats, but no such luck.
When we leaned forward to disembark the CG (Center of Gravity) moved forward enough to tip further onto the nose and the aircraft began to take on water.
Both occupants climbed out onto the float at this time and waited while a fisherman who had witnessed the landing approached.
Within two to three minutes the airplane had capsized.
In retrospect I allowed myself to get out of my normal routine by giving a ride from the rear seat (I would normally only instruct from the rear) and then made a hasty decision to go ahead and perform a touch and go without my typical setup at altitude confirming flaps, gear, etc.
Primary Problem as determined by an ASRS analyst: Human Factors.
Lucky guys. I’m surprised the airplane didn’t flip. Distraction that interupts flow is a real bear to prevent. Any of us who’ve flown for awhile have experienced the distraction trap.