WPR09LA423

The pilot reported that about 15 minutes after taking off from a runway in an amphibious airplane, all electrical power was lost. The pilot also observed that the fuel gauges indicated empty, and he became concerned about continuing his flight over populated areas. Therefore, he chose to make a precautionary water landing to a nearby marina to check his fuel state and investigate the electrical problem. Prior to landing, the pilot reported that he attempted to hand pump the landing gear up. He was able to visually confirm that both of the front gear were raised, however, due to the electrical failure, the gear position indicator was inoperative and he was unable to verify if the main gear were retracted. During the water landing, the left main aft gear was still extended and upon touchdown, the left pontoon lifted and the right wing tip impacted the water. The airplane pitched forward and nosed over. The reason for the electrical failure was not determined due to damage from the airplane's immersion in salt water.

On August 28, 2009, about 0648 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna TU206G, N682RC, nosed over during landing in the Shilshole Bay, Ballard, Washington. The pilot owned and operated the amphibious airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot received a minor injury. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and it originated in Bremerton, Washington, about 0630. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that about 15 minutes after taking off from the Bremerton National Airport, he experienced an electrical problem with his airplane. All electric current was lost. As a result, the airplane's fuel gauges indicated empty and he became concerned about flying over populated areas. Rather than continuing his intended flight to Payne Field, in Everett, Washington, the pilot opted to land in the Shilshole Bay marina to check his fuel state and investigate the electrical problem. The pilot stated that he attempted to raise the landing gear by using the emergency gear retraction hand pump. He was able to confirm that both of the front gear were raised into the pontoons. However, the left main aft gear was still extended; it did not fully retract. Upon touchdown in the water, the extended gear lifted the left pontoon up, and the right wing tip impacted the water. The airplane pitched forward, nosed over, and came to rest upside down in the salt water. The pilot further reported that without electrical power, the gear position indicator was inoperative. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives examined the airplane following its recovery from the water. Due to the airplane's immersion in the water, no determination was made regarding the preimpact functionality of the airplane's electrical system.