Flight Plan
The pilot planned to relocate an amphibious airplane from an airport featuring a small grass runway to another nearby land airport. Two intermediate stops at local lakes were scheduled en route. Following takeoff, the pilot did not retract the landing gear. During the climb, the fuel mixture was leaned, and the pilot observed four green lights on the instrument panel. He then stated, "Gear is up for water landing." The correct indication for a retracted gear configuration would have been four blue lights. The pilot repeated the landing gear check with the intended lake in sight.
Go-Around and Impact
While on final approach to the lake at 40 feet altitude and 75 mph, the landing gear warning indicator announced "gear is down for runway landing." The pilot immediately initiated a go-around. He pushed the throttle and propeller vernier controls forward simultaneously but only brushed his fingers against the mixture control. The airplane continued to descend and struck the water about 10 seconds later with the engine under partial power. Upon touchdown, the airplane immediately nosed over, resulting in substantial damage.
Post-Accident Information
Witnesses informed the pilot that during the go-around attempt, as engine power increased, the engine began "sputtering." The pilot later realized that background music and a noise-cancelling headset likely prevented him from hearing this. Examination of the wreckage showed that the mixture control had not been fully advanced when power was applied. The pilot subsequently evaluated his fitness for flight, stating, "The flight was after a stressful day of work. Mentally I was C+ material at best. Concentration and focus was not as high as I like for flying."