Incident Overview
A pilot reported that after takeoff from a hard surface runway, he inadvertently did not retract the wheels of the amphibious airplane. Upon arriving at his destination, he did not use the before landing checklist. When the airplane touched down on the water with the wheels extended, it nosed over.
Damage Details
The amphibious airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut, the empennage, the right wing aileron, the rudder, and the elevator.
Pilot Statement
The pilot asserted that the accident was pilot error and that the accident could have been prevented had he used the checklist. He also reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the amphibian airplane that would have precluded normal operation.