# NTSB ERA14CA431: Piper PA-18A-150, N7089B, Gunthersville, AL, September 6, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 6, 2014, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Gunthersville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.381668, -86.249168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3817&lon=-86.2492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA431
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90057/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90057
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA431

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to retract the landing gear wheels prior to a water landing, resulting in a nose over upon touchdown.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md)
- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he was performing both water and pavement touch-and-go landings in his amphibious airplane. On final approach for a water landing, he observed a jet ski come out of a slew area and his attention was drawn to it. Upon landing, "I found myself inverted." Federal Aviation Administration inspectors responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The landing gear and the cockpit-mounted landing gear switch were found in the down (extended) positions. A cockpit placard was installed, that stated, "DO NOT LAND ON WATER UNLESS GEAR IS FULLY RETRACTED." The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he was performing both water and pavement touch-and-go landings in his amphibious airplane. On final approach for a water landing, he observed a jet ski come out of a slew area and his attention was drawn to it. Upon landing, "I found myself inverted." Federal Aviation Administration inspectors responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The landing gear and the cockpit-mounted landing gear switch were found in the down (extended) positions. A cockpit placard was installed, that stated, "DO NOT LAND ON WATER UNLESS GEAR IS FULLY RETRACTED." The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7089B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7089B), registered now, S/N 18-5172, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A-150
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5172
- Year built: 1956
- Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2014
- Departed: 8A1, Guntersville, AL
- Destination: 8A1, Guntersville, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 31, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,300 total, 250 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observed at: 8A0, 10 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20140906018699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140906018699A), Sep 6, 2014: Piper PA-18A 150, Guntersville, AL, Substantial damage. On 09/06/2014, pilot of a Piper PA-18A 150 float plane landed on lake with wheels down causing aircraft to invert, pilot was able to escape without injury,…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90057. 4.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 560 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Miscellaneous Correspondence (item 3, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%20Correspondence-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 495 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Fuselage Buckling (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 544 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Fuselage%20Buckling%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Gear Switch (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 683 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Gear%20Switch%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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