On June 24, 1997, a Cessna 185 (registration N4952E) was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command's failure to retract the landing gear which led to an inadvertent water landing with the amphibian float wheels extended. Associated factors are the pilot's habit interference and the FAA inspector's inadequate monitoring of the flight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An FAA inspector and a pilot conducting a check ride in an amphibian floatplane escaped uninjured after the aircraft nosed over during a glassy water landing, with the landing gear left extended.
Incident Overview
A check ride for a flight instructor certificate reinstatement ended with an amphibian floatplane nosing over shortly after touching down on water. The pilot was demonstrating a glassy water landing technique under the direction of an FAA inspector. Both occupants evacuated the aircraft quickly and were uninjured.
Sequence of Events
The flight began with a departure from a hard surface runway under different instructions from the air traffic control tower. The pilot chose to leave the landing gear extended longer than normal due to the route of flight. During the subsequent water landing, the gear remained down, and the aircraft nosed over shortly after touchdown. The pilot stated that he forgot to retract the gear prior to landing on water. The FAA inspector reported that he also was unaware the wheels were still extended.
Aircraft Systems
The airplane was equipped with amphibian floats. The landing gear indicator light was functional at the time of the incident, but both the pilot and inspector did not notice the gear was down.
Aftermath
No injuries were reported. Both individuals exited the aircraft without difficulty.