# NTSB ERA23LA179: Piper PA-18AS-125, N1907A, Lakeland, FL, March 22, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 22, 2023, 16:48 local (20:48 UTC) - Place: Lakeland, FL · Water - Coordinates: 28.026371, -81.909767 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0264&lon=-81.9098&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 107013 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/107013/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=107013 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA179 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to ensure that the landing gear was properly configured for a water landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: wheel/ski/float](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18AS-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md?model=7101816), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023246/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18AS-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7101816), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/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: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18AS-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=7101816), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Piper PA-18AS-125, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=7101816), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis After obtaining fuel at a land-based airport, the pilot noted a small leak in the amphibious airplane’s hydraulic landing gear extension/retraction system. He subsequently departed for the accident flight. While the pilot was landing the airplane on a lake, he noticed that the landing gear were still extended; the airplane flipped over immediately upon touchdown and the airplane’s right wing was substantially damaged. Examination of the hydraulic system after the accident confirmed the small leak, but otherwise did not reveal evidence of a failure of the system. Additionally, the airplane was equipped with landing gear position indicating lights that should have alerted the pilot that the landing gear were not fully retracted before touchdown. Had the pilot observed this indication prior to landing, he would likely have aborted the landing attempt and prevented the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 22, 2023, about 1648 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18AS, N1907A, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident on Crescent Lake in Umatilla, Florida. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he departed from his home base on Crescent Lake to refuel. Upon landing at Umatilla Airport (X23), he observed a small hydraulic fluid leak on the hand pump of the main landing gear while taxiing for fuel. After refueling, he proceeded to depart back to Crescent Lake. However, during the landing on the lake, he noticed that the nose landing gear was not fully retracted. When the nose gear contacted the water, the airplane flipped over and inverted. Following the accident, the pilot reported that the landing gear hand pump had failed to raise the landing gear as expected, and that an o-ring failure resulted in the pump leaking hydraulic fluid. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing. Examination of the landing gear hydraulic system revealed a small amount of hydraulic fluid leaking from the landing gear hand pump, but that the leak was not significant enough to deplete the hydraulic system’s fluid. The inspector also identified wear marks on the hand pump shaft, but none that would have resulted in a failure of the pump. A review of the maintenance records indicated that an annual inspection had been conducted about five months before the accident, and no discrepancies were noted regarding the hydraulic system. According to the float manufacturer, the airplane’s gear selector was equipped with lights that indicated the landing gear position. Four blue lights illuminated when the gear was up, and four green lights illuminated when the gear was down. Additionally, a single red light indicated the operation of the hydraulic pump. Each gear position had its corresponding light. The hydraulic pump remained active until all landing gear components reached their intended positions. Although the floats did not have “locks," they did include an over-center main gear and a horizontally positioned nose gear system. Furthermore, the eight indicator lights operated independently of the gear hydraulic system and its functionality. A review of the airplane’s flight manual supplement, specifically on page 8, 9 and 13, stated: "Do not land on water unless the gear is fully retracted." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1907A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1907A), registered now, S/N 18-1741, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18AS-125 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18AS-125](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18as-125) (registry code 7101816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-1741 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 5743 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 24, 2022, 10 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: X23, Umatilla Muni - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 990 total, 2 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: LEE, 10 nm away - METAR: METAR KLEE 222153Z 11003KT 10SM FEW070 28/14 A3022 RMK AO2 SLP233 T02830139 ## 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 20230322006839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230322006839A), Mar 22, 2023: Piper PA-18AS-125, Umatilla, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot of a PA-18AS-125 was on a normal recreational flight in and around the Umatilla, FL area. The aircraft is equipped for both water and runway… ## Other investigations on N1907A (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC05CA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA139), Sep 6, 2005: Piper PA-18 (N1907A), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush, and subsequent in-flight collision with trees. A factor contributing to… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 12, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=107013. 186 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15546722&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA179_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15551424&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20FAA%20statement%20LA179-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 177 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15545455&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MX%20records%20LA179_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Wipaire response to NTSB inquiry (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15550561&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=PA18%20Amphib-Response%20NTSB_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airplane flight manual supplement (item 5, PDF, 20 pages, 403 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17158968&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=POHSA00713CH-A-6-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15549627&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=investigative%20photos%20LA179-Rel.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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.