Accident Narrative
A certificated commercial pilot was landing an amphibious float-equipped airplane on a saltwater lagoon. According to the pilot's report, after departing from a gravel-covered airstrip en route to the lagoon, his attention was temporarily diverted while correcting a minor flap retraction problem. The pilot believed he had placed the landing gear retraction handle in the "up" position, in preparation for a water landing at his destination, but he failed to observe four blue lights indicating that the wheels were up for a water landing.
During touchdown in the lagoon, as the keels of the floats made contact with the water, the airplane suddenly pitched forward and nosed over. The pilot said that as he exited the sinking airplane, he noticed that the wheels were in the "down" position.
Investigation Findings
Due to saltwater immersion damage, the landing gear retract/extension system could not be tested. The director of operations for the operator reported that when he interviewed the pilot shortly after the accident, the pilot stated that after departing from the airstrip, his attention was distracted during the wing flap anomaly, and that he simply forgot to retract the wheels.