# NTSB WPR14CA093: Maule M 7-235, N6136T, Lake Havasu, AZ, January 10, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 10, 2014, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Lake Havasu, AZ - Coordinates: 34.571109, -114.358055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5711&lon=-114.3581&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 May 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88663 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88663/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88663 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA093 ## Probable cause The pilots' failure to verify the landing gear position prior to the water landing and the pilot/examiner's failure to adequately monitor the pilot. ## 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: [Maule M-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Designated examiner (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=5470208), [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: [Maule M-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that following an uneventful takeoff in the amphibious float equipped airplane, he intended on performing a water landing at a nearby lake as part of his checkride. During the water landing, the airplane immediately nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot stated that he had become distracted after takeoff and did not retract the landing gear for the water landing. The designated pilot examiner onboard the airplane, reported that he did not confirm the position of the landing gear prior to the water landing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that following an uneventful takeoff in the amphibious float equipped airplane, he intended on performing a water landing at a nearby lake as part of his checkride. During the water landing, the airplane immediately nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot stated that he had become distracted after takeoff and did not retract the landing gear for the water landing. The designated pilot examiner onboard the airplane, reported that he did not confirm the position of the landing gear prior to the water landing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6136T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6136T-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 4076C, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M 7-235 (235) - Registry model: [Maule M-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235) (registry code 5470208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4076C - Year built: 1989 - Airframe hours: 1451 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Operator: North Aire LLC - Registered owner: Dvtone LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 14, 2013 - Departed: HII, LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ - Destination: HII, LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ - Airport: HII, Lake Havasu City - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Check pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; flight instructor, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 6, 2012; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,500 total, 4,000 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2.7 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 42; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 29, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 574 total, 5 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: HII, 5 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 20140110000259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140110000259A), Jan 10, 2014: Maule M-7-235, Lake Havasu Cit, AZ, Destroyed. Accident student pilot had been practicing water landings with CFI all day. After approximately 5 hours of flying, take offs and landings in accident aircraft,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88663. 538 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 538 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411392&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.