# NTSB NYC08CA232: Yowell Mallard II, N463AT, Groveland, FL, June 29, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2008, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Groveland, FL - Coordinates: 28.597778, -81.800552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5978&lon=-81.8006&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68328 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68328/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA232 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to use the checklist and his failure to retract the landing gear for a water landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Yowell Thomas A MALLARD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=05903BP), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Yowell Thomas A MALLARD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=05903BP), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Yowell Thomas A MALLARD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=05903BP), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/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: [Yowell Thomas A MALLARD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=05903BP), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Yowell Thomas A MALLARD II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05903BP), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner and the pilot-rated passenger departed in the amateur-built amphibious Mallard II from the land-based airport in order to practice water landings on a nearby lake. The purpose of the flight was to provide the passenger with experience that would assist him in making a decision about purchasing a similar airplane. The passenger was seated in the left seat, and the pilot was seated in the right seat of the dual-control airplane. The pilot reported that the airplane's tail lifted excessively when takeoff power was applied, and that this, combined with an unrelated problem with the headsets, distracted the two occupants during the 3-minute flight to the lake. As the airplane approached for the first landing on the lake, the pilot discussed the descent, power settings, wind conditions, and airspeeds with the passenger. However, neither the pilot nor the passenger who was manipulating the controls used any pre-landing or landing checklists, and they neglected to retract the landing gear for the water landing. When the landing gear contacted the lake surface, the airplane nosed over inverted, which substantially damaged the fuselage and wing. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner and the pilot-rated passenger departed in the amateur-built amphibious Mallard II from the land-based airport, in order to practice water landings on a nearby lake. The purpose of the flight was to provide the passenger with experience that would assist him in making a decision about purchasing a similar airplane. The passenger was seated in the left seat, and the pilot was seated in the right seat of the dual-control airplane. The pilot reported that the airplane's tail lifted excessively when takeoff power was applied, and that this, combined with an unrelated problem with the headsets, distracted the two occupants during the 3-minute flight to the lake. As the airplane approached for the first landing on the lake, the pilot discussed the descent, power settings, wind conditions, and airspeeds with the passenger. However, neither the pilot, nor the passenger who was manipulating the controls, utilized any pre-landing or landing checklists, and they neglected to retract the landing gear for the water landing. When the landing gear contacted the lake surface, the airplane nosed over inverted, which substantially damaged the fuselage and wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N463AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N463AT-2017-07-06), registration cancelled 2017-07-06, S/N 2M002, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Yowell Mallard II - Registry model: [Yowell Thomas A MALLARD II](https://openairdocs.org/model/yowell-thomas-a-mallard-ii) (registry code 05903BP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912S series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912s-series) (registry code 55570, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2M002 - Airframe hours: 900 - Engines: Rotax 912S 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2007 - Departed: 3FD4, Minneola, FL - Destination: NONE, Groveland, FL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: sport pilot; last flight review April 11, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 280 total, 100 in this make and model - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: sport pilot; last flight review January 1, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 280 total, 100 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: LEE, 17 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 20080629839399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080629839399A), Jun 29, 2008: MALLARDII, Groveland, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) During a landing on lake cherry, the aircraft nosed over and went under the water. The landing gear was in the extended position. The pilot reported to… 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.