Flight History
The pilot had attempted to fly to Silver Lake earlier that morning but aborted the mission due to low ceiling and visibility. Upon returning at 1110 ADT, the ceiling had improved; however, layers of stratus and fog persisted below the main cloud base.
Accident Sequence
Witnesses observed the aircraft circle twice and believed the pilot intended to land. During a descending left turn with 15 to 20 degrees of bank, the aircraft struck the water with the left float, then bounced high above the water. At the top of the bounce, a high engine sound was heard, after which the aircraft pitched down abruptly and crashed into the water.
Post-Crash Events
When the water and spray subsided, witnesses saw two floats, the rear section of the fuselage, and debris on the water. About two minutes later, they observed the two occupants climb onto the floating wreckage. The witnesses began building a log raft to rescue the occupants, but before completing the raft, the occupants had drifted out of sight in fog and rain. A search was made for the occupants, but they could not be found and were presumed to have drowned.