What happened
On July 31, 2021, a Lake LA-4-200 amphibious aircraft, registration LV-OAW, was conducting a recreational general aviation flight near Concepción del Uruguay, Argentina. During the approach phase to the destination, the pilot was unable to visually or mechanically confirm that the landing gear was in the down and locked position. To avoid the risk of a gear-up landing on land, the pilot executed a go-around and opted to perform an emergency landing on the surface of the Uruguay River near Pueblo Liebig, Entre Ríos.
The aircraft successfully landed on the water, and all occupants were able to evacuate the plane. There were no fatalities and no injuries reported among the two people on board.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical status of the landing gear and the pilot's decision-making process during the approach. Investigators examined the aircraft's condition following the water landing, noting that the airframe sustained minor damage. The inquiry reviewed the flight parameters, including the flight duration of approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident.
Ultimately, the national authority determined that the incident did not warrant a full-scale technical investigation, as the findings did not present significant implications for the improvement of national operational safety. The case was subsequently closed and archived.