Accident Details
A twin-engine airplane departed Tampa Airport during the morning for a local pleasure flight. On the final approach to the same airport, the pilot did not extend the landing gear. When the airplane landed, the propellers struck the runway surface. The pilot then initiated a go-around, but the airplane could not maintain altitude because of the propeller damage. Consequently, it lost height and crashed into Tampa Bay.
Occupants and Damage
All six persons aboard the aircraft were rescued and suffered minor injuries. The airplane was destroyed in the accident.
Probable Cause
The official investigation concluded that the probable cause was a wheels-up landing and a controlled collision with water during the go-around manoeuvre. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to lower the landing gear on approach and the inability to hold altitude during the go-around due to propeller damage.