NTSB Factual Report

On April 2, 2004, approximately 1230 Pacific standard time, an amphibian Grumman G-44 multiengine airplane, N65914, sustained substantial damage after impacting terrain while making a water landing near Bellingham, Washington. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Lake Whatcom, Washington, at approximately 1210.

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), and in a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that not long into the flight the left engine developed intermittent roughness, which smoothed out after the pilot reduced his power setting. The pilot reported that he then decided to proceed to his home base. The pilot stated that while approaching his home base he advanced the right propeller control to full increase and opened the right throttle to 28.5 inches of manifold pressure, but could only get 1900 rpm out of the right propeller. The pilot reported that at 1,200 feet above ground level and in a slow descent his intention was to land at Bellingham International Airport (BLI). The pilot related that due to a communications failure and unable to clear terrain bordering the airport, he opted to make a water landing in Bellingham Bay, a bay which encompasses an area of more then 20 square miles. The pilot reported, "The only thing I didn't realize before landing was that the tide was out." The pilot stated it was only after he landed in the bay, 600 to 650 feet parallel to the shoreline, that he realized the water was only about 6 inches deep. The pilot stated that the right wing float impacted subsurface terrain, collapsing the float aft in compression and pivoting the float aft and up, substantially damaging the right aileron and four wing ribs.

On May 13, 2004, the IIC spoke with the pilot, who is also the registered owner and an FAA certificated airframe and power plant mechanic. The pilot reported that during the examination of the right engine, the engine's propeller control valve had developed a leak which resulted in a lack of engine oil to the propeller. The pilot stated that no definitive reason for the leak had been determined. The pilot also reported that as a result of his examination of the left engine, which he had reported as "running rough" during the flight, he found no anomalies with the engine which would preclude normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to select the proper touchdown point while conducting a forced landing. Factors included the #1 engine malfunction, the right propeller oil control valve leak, and the shallow subsurface terrain condition.