Incident Summary
The pilot had completed three to four water ski runs—a maneuver where the aircraft touches down on water while the parking brake is set, allowing the main landing gear tires to ski on the surface. After the final run, the pilot transitioned to the airport for a full-stop landing. Upon touchdown, the pilot felt a drag from the right main tire, which was initially attributed to the soft runway condition. Shortly thereafter, the airplane's tail rose and the aircraft nosed over.
Pilot Report
The pilot later reported that he had failed to release the parking brake after completing the water ski maneuvers. Consequently, the landing was performed with the brake still engaged. The pilot indicated that the drag felt during touchdown was due to the set brake.
Examination of Restraint System
The airplane was equipped with an AmSafe Aviation Inflatable Restraint (AAIR) system, which did not inflate or deploy during the accident sequence. A post-accident examination and testing of the system revealed no anomalies that would have prevented its proper function. It is believed that the airplane did not sustain sufficient g-forces during the accident sequence to activate the system.