Landing Gear Not Configured: Maule MX-7-180A, N61339; accident occurred June 11, 2019 at Mackeys Lakes Seaplane Base (L85), Soldotna, Alaska

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Juneau, Alaska

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N61339

Location: Soldotna, AK
Accident Number: GAA19CA343
Date & Time: 06/11/2019, 1030 AKD
Registration:N61339 
Aircraft: Maule MX7
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing gear not configured
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane with tundra tires reported that, he made an approach to the lake. He flew the approach, and landed the airplane in the water, "Only then did I realize that I was still on wheels." Water entered the flight deck and the airplane sank.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windscreen.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 72, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/10/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/22/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 3000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 600 hours (Total, this make and model), 3000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 7 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Maule
Registration: N61339
Model/Series: MX7 180A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1994
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Other
Serial Number: 20013C
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/07/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 796.3 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360-C4F
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PASX, 113 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 4 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0256 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 198°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 14 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 270°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.95 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Soldotna, AK (L85)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Soldotna, AK (L85)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time:  AKD
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Mackeys Lakes (L85)
Runway Surface Type: Water
Airport Elevation: 175 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Water--choppy
Runway Used: S
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3000 ft / 1000 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 60.320278, -150.597222 (est)