Flight Preparation and Departure
Prior to departing on a cross-country flight, the pilot received a jump-start for his amphibious airplane due to a dead battery. He immediately taxied to the runway and took off. Once airborne, he moved the landing gear handle to the "Up" position but did not confirm that the gear had successfully retracted. He climbed to 300 feet above mean sea level (msl) before turning and descending over the water to 120 feet msl, with the intention of making a low pass in front of his waterfront home.
Low Pass Attempt and Emergency
During the low pass, the airplane encountered "a gust of wind" and lost approximately 40 feet of altitude. The pilot decided to abort the low pass and advanced the throttle to full power. He was not satisfied with the response of the engine and made the decision to perform an emergency landing on the water. Upon touchdown, the airplane flipped over and sustained substantial damage. The pilot escaped from underwater and received minor injuries.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear was in the extended position, while the gear handle was in the "Up" position. All electrical wiring was found to be intact, and no other mechanical issues were discovered. A certificated aircraft mechanic familiar with the accident airplane stated that when the landing gear cycle was initiated, the motor momentarily drew a very high current. He noted that if the battery was dead or contained a low charge, the generator would "probably not" be able to handle the high current demand and would not permit the landing gear to cycle. The pilot did not notice any other mechanical or electrical problems with the airplane during the flight.