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GAA19CA108

2019-05-28 · Hollister, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N501J

Make / Model
DEHAVILLAND DHC-2
Seats / Engines
8 seats · 1 engine
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A63E6F

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to retract the amphibious float's landing gear wheels before landing on the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use the after takeoff and before landing checklists.

Factual narrative

The pilot in the amphibious float-equipped airplane reported that his intent was to perform a water landing. On the downwind leg of the approach, he performed his prelanding checks from memory and he confirmed that the three green landing gear safe lights were illuminated. However, "I should have looked for blue lights." The pilot landed on the water with the landing gear wheels extended and the airplane pitched forward and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the empennage, and the windscreen. The pilot asserted that, "I should have used a checklist once airborne. Both the after takeoff and before landing checks would have saved me from this event." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot in the amphibious float-equipped airplane reported that he intended to perform a water landing. On the downwind leg of the approach, he performed his prelanding checks from memory, and he confirmed that the three green landing gear safe lights were illuminated. However, he added that he "should have looked for blue lights." The pilot landed on the water with the landing gear wheels extended, and the airplane pitched forward and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the empennage, and the windscreen. The pilot asserted that he "should have used a checklist once airborne. Both the after takeoff and before landing checks would have saved me from this event." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Configuration-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of equip/system-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Water-Effect on operation - C
  • F Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of checklist-Pilot - F

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2019_GAA19CA108.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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