SEA02LA032

The pilot reported that after takeoff from a private airstrip in the amphibian aircraft, he forgot to retract the landing gear before touching down on the river. The bow of the floats dug into the water and the aircraft nosed over. After the aircraft was recovered, it was noted that the nose wheels on the bow of the floats were broken off. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident.

On January 27, 2002, about 1305 Pacific standard time, an amphibian Piper PA-18-150, N4379Z, registered to and operated by the commercial pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight, nosed over on the Rogue River near Eagle Point, Oregon. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight originated from a private airstrip near Shady Cove, Oregon, about five minutes before the accident.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he took off from a private airstrip for a local flight in the area. During the flight, the pilot set-up for a landing on the Rogue River. Upon touchdown, the bow of the floats dug into the water and the aircraft nosed over. After the aircraft was recovered, it was noted that the nose wheels on the bow of the floats were broken off. The pilot reported that, "...I evidently did not retract my landing gear."

There was no report of a mechanical failure or malfunction with the aircraft at the time of the accident.