Accident Description
A pilot was conducting a test flight to check the engine of an amphibious aircraft. As the landing gear was being lowered for landing at the airport, a loud "pop" was heard. The noise was later attributed to the failure of the clevis on the rod end of the retract/extend cylinder.
Sequence of Events
Following the malfunction, the pilot reported that the landing gear would neither retract nor extend. Instead, it swung freely in a trail position. Deciding to proceed with a water landing, the pilot anticipated that the gear would trail behind the aircraft during the touchdown.
On first contact with the water, the aircraft bounced. According to the pilot, the wheels were knocked back hard by the impact, then bounced fully forward and locked into position. Subsequently, the aircraft flipped forward onto its back.
The aircraft came to rest inverted on the water. The test flight ended with the amphibious aircraft having sustained damage from the inverted position.