# NTSB LAX99LA098: Maule M-7-235, N747CL, Boulder City, NV, February 13, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1999, 12:22 local (20:22 UTC)
- Place: Boulder City, NV
- Coordinates: 35.98904, -114.810256 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9890&lon=-114.8103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45778
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45778/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA098

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot-in-command to properly position the floatplane landing gear for a water landing and failure to verify the landing gear position resulting in an inadvertent wheels down landing on water.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Wheels down landing in water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - not set, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear - not verified, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels down landing in water - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The aircraft, equipped with amphibious floats, landed on water with the wheels extended and nosed over.  The pilot reported that he had recently received training in a land based retractable gear aircraft, which reinforced habits opposite those needed for the floatplane landing on water. He failed to retract the wheels of the floatplane after takeoff from a land airport because of distractions caused by radio problems and complex air traffic control procedures.  He said he verified the wheel position before landing in the water but the amber wheels down indicator 'didn't register.'

## Factual narrative

On February 13, 1999, at 1222 hours Pacific standard time, a Maule M-7-235, N747CL, was substantially damaged when the aircraft, equipped with amphibious floats, landed with the wheels extended and nosed over on Lake Mead near Boulder City, Nevada.  The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and the sole passenger was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91.  The aircraft departed North Las Vegas at 1145 and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot told the Safety Board that he had recently received training in a land based retractable gear aircraft, which reinforced habits opposite those needed for the floatplane landing on water.  He failed to retract the wheels of the floatplane after takeoff from North Las Vegas because of distractions caused by radio problems and complex air traffic control procedures.  He said he verified the wheel position before landing in the water but the amber wheels down indicator "didn't register."

## Aircraft

- Registration: N747CL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Maule M-7-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4132C
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: T & F Consultants Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1998
- Departed: VGT, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,351 total, 120 in this make and model, 4,311 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 15 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 19990213001419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990213001419A), Feb 13, 1999: Maule M7235, Boulder City, NV, Substantial damage. Seaplane attempted to land on lake meade with the landing gear down. And the acft sank in the lake. Other circumstances are unknown. Pilot in command stated he…

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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