Quote Originally Posted by mrdux View Post
I would say it not being locked down and a quick DECELERATION like hitting a 4+ footer might have something to do with it.
Crossing the north end of Kentucky several years ago at a very reasonable speed, one of those doubled-up waves with the big empty space behind it that you see on that lake sent me into a hole where I speared the next wave. It broke the pin that held my TM in the stowed position and sent 6" of water running between the consoles. The motor would have deployed on its own, but the next wave knocked it back down. I high-tailed it into the little bay just south of the mooring area where my bilge pump seemed to run forever. Wasn't even what I'd consider a very bad day, but it can happen.

Most outboards would be flopped back by gravity nearly horizontal when the boat was upside down. The mechanism that locks them from raising up is only engaged when they are in reverse. When in forward gear the motor can kick up if it hits something.