# NTSB WPR24LA062: Progressive Aerodyne Searey LSA, N312PR, Lake Havasu, CA, December 28, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 28, 2023, 09:57 local (17:57 UTC) - Place: Lake Havasu, CA · Lake Havasu - Coordinates: 34.51109, -114.38233 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5111&lon=-114.3823&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193584 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193584/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193584 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA062 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to confirm the landing gear was configured for a water landing during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s deviation from the airplanes operating procedures by previously pulling the landing gear circuit breakers, which resulted in the landing gear not retracting when commanded during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/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: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=060009O), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis On a previous flight, the pilot of the amphibious light sport airplane had pulled the landing gear circuit breakers to mitigate the risk of accidentally raising the landing gear while on the ground. Prior to the accident flight, which departed from a hard-surface runway, he serviced the airplane with fuel and performed a preflight check. He intended to perform water landings on an adjacent lake, and after takeoff he selected the gear-up switch but had forgotten to reset the circuit breakers. Shortly after takeoff he felt a light airframe vibration and decided to expedite the landing. While circling the landing spot, and slowing the airplane for the approach, the gear misconfigured warning sounded. However, the pilot silenced the warning because his attention was diverted by the landing due to the vibration, so the gear remained extended as the airplane touched the water. The airplane then nosed over and sustained substantial damage. The “before engine start” checklist in the pilot’s operating handbook states that the circuit breakers should be in. There is no reference in the handbook to pulling the circuit breakers to prevent accidental activation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N312PR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N312PR-2025-03-08), registration cancelled 2025-03-08, S/N 1127, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PROGRESSIVE AERODYNE INC SEAREY LSA - Registry model: [Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA](https://openairdocs.org/model/progressive-aerodyne-searey-lsa) (registry code 060009O) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 914UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-914ul) (registry code 55553, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1127 - Year built: 2021 - Airframe hours: 256.4 - Engines: Rotax 914 UL2-01 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 3, 2023, 89.9 hours before - Departed: HII, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 5, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 200 total, 75 in this make and model, 173 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.24 inHg - Observed at: KEED, 19 nm away - METAR: KEED 281756Z AUTO 01003KT 10SM CLR 14/M03 A3024 RMK AO2 SLP229 T01441028 10144 20050 51013 ## 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 20231228022299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231228022299A), Dec 28, 2023: Progressive Aerodyne Inc SEAREY LSA, Chemhuevi India, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot of [privacy data omitted] departed khii airport 12/28/2023 after disconnecting two circuit breakers for the left and right main landing gear while… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 1, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193584. 9.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 8.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16538556&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=r_6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Additional pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16559858&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Additional%20Pilot%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Searey POH excerpt (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16559868&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=POH%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16538631&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.