Firefighters responded to Lake Washington after a seaplane crashed into the water near Seattle’s Leschi neighborhood Wednesday night, fire officials said.If you know anything about flying with amphibious floats, a picture tells the story.
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The Seattle Police Department’s harbor unit also responded to the lake and will investigate what led up to the crash, {fire spokesperson Kristen Tinsley] said.
The landing gear is down.
If you land an airplane with amphibious floats on the water and the landing gear is down (typically, shown with green lights), flipping the airplane on contact with the water is virtually guaranteed. Gear up on amphibs is shown by blue lights: Green for Grass, Blue for Water.
The problem of landing on the water with the gear down can happen with pilots who have a lot of landplane retract time. Green lights for landing can become ingrained.
The fact that it keeps happening would lead one to believe a better way of training is needed. Or just eliminate the amphibious floats and save a ton on insurance.
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