Amateur-built PA-12 Replica accident near Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, February 4, 2024
On February 4, 2024 at about 6:30 pm local time, a 2023 amateur-built PA-12 Replica, registered N360WC, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to properly configure the landing gear on his amphibious airplane before landing on water.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 4, 2024 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built PA-12 Replica, built 2023
- Registration
- N360WC · registry record · serial JA1804118
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was landing the airplane on the water and that after he conducted his before landing “GUMP” checklist he extended the landing gear on his amphibious airplane in error. Following the water landing, the airplane came to rest inverted in the river and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the windscreen. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Landing gear not configured during landing defining event
- Dragged wing/rotor/float/other during landing (landing roll)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Gear extension and retract sys › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 50,000 hours in all; 460 in this make and model
- Last flight review: November 4, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 60 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 12, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Titan OX360 (piston); 60 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KLVN Minneapolis, Mn MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 12:35 pm from KSGS, 2 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSGS 041835Z AUTO 08004KT 10SM CLR 07/M01 A3014 RMK AO2 T00691006=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 12, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Meteorology | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.