What happened
On the afternoon of September 7, 1997, a Piper PA-18-150 with registration D-EEKL, operated by the Germany Seaplane Association, was conducting a local flight near Ljungby/Feringe airport. After refueling, the pilot departed for a short excursion. When the aircraft failed to return within an hour, fellow pilots launched a search mission in another amphibian aircraft.
During the search, the crew located the aircraft upside down on Lake Bolmen, near the island of Rået. At the time of discovery, the pilot was visible, seated on one of the floats and waving to the searching aircraft. Due to turbulent water conditions and limited fuel, the search party could not land nearby and instead relayed the coordinates to ground support. While rescuers arrived via boat approximately 40 minutes later, the pilot had already vanished from the site. The pilot's body was recovered from the water two days later.
The investigation
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK) examined the wreckage and the circumstances surrounding the search and rescue efforts. The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the timeline of the emergency response.
Findings
Technical examination of the Piper PA-18-150 revealed no mechanical failures or engine malfunctions. However, investigators determined that the landing gear on the floats had been left in the extended position. This oversight was the primary cause of the accident, as the extended gear likely destabilized the aircraft during the water landing.
Additionally, the investigation noted that the rescue services were not notified immediately upon the discovery of the wreckage. This delay of at least 40 minutes in initiating a professional rescue operation may have contributed to the one fatality recorded in this accident.