What happened
While approaching for a landing, the pilot of an amphibious airplane extended the landing gear but received an unsafe gear indication. Consequently, the pilot initiated a go-around. During the climb to an altitude between 1,000 and 1,500 feet, the engine lost power.
At the time of the failure, the fuel selector was set to the 'both' position and the boost pumps were operating on high. Although the engine responded briefly after the initial loss of power, it failed again. The pilot attempted to perform a forced landing on a nearby lake; however, the aircraft could not reach the water. The airplane touched down short in a clearing and subsequently collided with a ditch during the landing roll. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
Investigators examined the fuel system and confirmed that fuel was present in both tanks. An engine run was also conducted, which demonstrated that the engine started and was capable of developing full power.