Incident Overview
On April 16, 2006, at approximately 16:15 UTC (18:15 local time), a Maule M-7-235B amphibious aircraft, registered I-SEAP, capsized while floating on the water at the Como seaplane base. The aircraft was operated by the local Aero Club for a sightseeing flight over Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, carrying a Dutch tourist family. Due to the family size, the group was split between two aircraft: the father and two children on I-SEAP, and the mother and another child on a second aircraft, I-SAAB.
Sequence of Events
After passenger embarkation, I-SEAP moved from the slipway in front of the Aero Club apron toward the takeoff holding point. During the low-speed floating phase, both aircraft proceeded almost side by side west of the takeoff area, with I-SAAB following slightly behind and to the left. As I-SEAP reached the vicinity of the penultimate buoy on runway 19 heading northeast, the pilot increased engine rpm and performed an engine run-up. At that moment, the pilot of I-SAAB observed an unusual lifting of the left float's rear section from the water and immediately radioed the I-SEAP pilot. Shortly after, I-SEAP pitched forward, submerging the cabin and coming to rest inverted, supported by the partially submerged floats. The pilot and three passengers exited the submerged cabin unaided and were rescued by the seaplane base's safety boat, which responded to a call from the I-SAAB pilot.
Injuries and Damage
None of the occupants sustained injuries. The aircraft sustained structural deformations and flooding of the engine, systems, and instruments.
Aircraft and Personnel Information
The pilot, a 44-year-old Italian male, held a valid private pilot license for airplanes (I-PPL-A) with ratings for single-engine piston land and sea, and multi-engine piston land, as well as a helicopter pilot license. He also held an English radiotelephony endorsement.
Probable Cause
The investigation concluded that the probable cause of the incident was the movement of the flap control to the extraction position while the aircraft was floating at low speed. Contributing factors included the failure to apply standard procedures—specifically, not conducting the low-speed floating maneuver with due attention to flap extension speed limits, and deploying flaps during low-speed floating without considering their adverse effect in relation to wave motion.
Investigation Findings
The wreckage examination revealed no pre-impact mechanical anomalies. Weather conditions were consistent with local reports; no ATC involvement was noted. The investigation focused on human, machine, and environmental factors, concluding that the pilot's actions during flap operation in the water environment led to the capsizing.