An ATSB investigation report into the crash of a Cessna floatplane on Corio Bay has identified pilot distraction as a contributing factor.
U206F floatplane VH-UBI pitched over on landing after the pilot attempted to alight with the land wheels extended in January this year.
All occupants survived the crash.
The aircraft was on a joyflight from Corio Bay near Geelong and had stopped to refuel at Barwon Heads before returning to collect another group of passengers.
The ATSB found that "the pilot was distracted during the departure from Barwon Heads and as a result did not retract the landing wheels during the after take-off checks.
"The investigation also determined that on returning to Corio Bay, the pilot shortened the approach due to perceived time pressure and did not complete the normal downwind and short final checks. In not completing those checks, the pilot reduced the likelihood of identifying that the landing wheels were still extended."
The aircraft operator who watched the accident attempted to warn the pilot by mobile phone, but the pilot did not hear the phone because he was not wearing the earpieces. The ATSB considered that this was "ineffective" and that trying to contact ATC to warn the pilot may have been a better option.
The full report can be downloaded from the ATSB website.