What happened
While operating in Cook Inlet, the pilot elected to land the amphibious aircraft on the mud flats due to the receding tide. During the flight, the pilot attempted to activate the cabin heat by reaching toward the center pedestal. While reaching for the control, the pilot pulled a handle without visually verifying its identity, which resulted in the inadvertent shutdown of the fuel supply.
Upon landing on the mud flats, the aircraft's float braces collapsed.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the placement and identification of the controls located on the center pedestal behind the vertical column of the control yoke. The cabin heat handle and the emergency fuel shut-off are positioned approximately 8 inches apart. Although each handle features a different shape and is identified by a differently colored placard, the pilot's action led to the engine shutdown. It was noted that the fuel shut-off valve had been safety wired in the on position.