Event GAA18CA212

Factual narrative

According to the pilot in the experimental amateur-build amphibious airplane, during a water landing he, "decided that the nose was slightly high." He applied forward pressure on the control stick, the nose pitched down, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward right-wing lift strut and windshield. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot noted that he had accumulated 3.8 hours of flight time in the accident airplane make and model. He asserted that more pilot training in the airplane make and model could have prevented the accident. The pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot certificate with an airplane single engine land rating. He did not possess an airplane single engine sea rating. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot in the experimental, amateur-built, amphibious airplane, during a water landing he "decided that the nose was slightly high." He applied forward pressure on the control stick, the nose pitched down, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward right-wing lift strut and windshield. The pilot noted that he had accumulated 3.8 hours of flight time in the accident airplane make and model. He asserted that more pilot training in the airplane make and model could have prevented the accident. The pilot held a Federal Aviation Administration private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating. He did not possess an airplane single-engine sea rating. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
• F Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Qualification/certification-Pilot - F
• F Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Total experience w/ equipment-Pilot - F