Incident Overview
A personal sightseeing flight ended tragically when an amphibious floatplane attempted a water landing with its landing gear extended. According to passengers, the flight departed for a lake approximately 15 minutes away for local sightseeing. During the landing, the aircraft touched down on the water, bounced, and nosed over inverted, coming to rest inverted and sinking. The pilot was killed in the accident.
Landing Gear Configuration
The airplane was equipped with an amphibian landing gear position advisory system, as per the flight manual supplement. The system provided aural announcements: "gear is up for water landing" and "gear is down for runway landing." These advisories could be cancelled by pressing an amber annunciator light. Passengers reported hearing a male voice speaking as they approached the water, though they were unsure of its meaning, and then observed the pilot push a button.
Wreckage and Witness Observations
Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear was in the extended position at the time of the accident. Witnesses also observed the landing gear extended during the landing sequence. The aircraft's nose-over and inversion occurred immediately upon contact with the water.
Toxicology Results
Toxicological testing on the pilot was positive for metoprolol and quinine. Metoprolol is a prescription medication commonly used to control high blood pressure and is typically approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for that purpose; it is also used for certain serious heart conditions. Quinine, found in tonic water, is used to treat severe malaria and is also commonly available over the counter as a supplement to reduce the frequency of nocturnal leg cramps.