Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA N312PR

Summary

On 28 December 2023 at about 17:57 local time, a Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA registered N312PR was involved in an accident near Lake Havasu, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 December 2023 at 17:57

Classification

Accident

Location

Lake Havasu, California, United States

Coordinates

34.5111, -114.3823

Aircraft

Progressive Aerodyne SEAREY LSA

Registration

N312PR

Category

Airplane

Year built

2021

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lake Havasu City → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA062

1 person had minor injuries.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.