What happened
The accident occurred in the open ocean waters near Key Largo, Florida, during an approach for landing. As the aircraft descended toward the water surface, a significantly larger wave than the surrounding swell became visible. In response to this obstacle, the pilot raised the nose of the aircraft and applied additional power in an attempt to clear it.
Despite these corrective actions, the aircraft struck the crest of the wave. The impact catapulted the aircraft upward into a nose-high attitude before gravity pulled it back down. Upon descent, the left wing struck the water first and subsequently separated from the fuselage. Following the structural failure, the aircraft remained buoyant for approximately 35 minutes before sinking in roughly 12 feet of water.
The investigation
Post-accident analysis focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control and subsequent impact with the water. Investigators examined the condition of the aircraft following its recovery from the ocean floor. The primary mechanical finding was the separation of the left wing, which occurred as a direct result of the high-energy impact with the wave crest.
Findings
Several environmental factors contributed to the accident. The pilot reported that surface winds were light and variable, providing no significant assistance for lift or control during the low-altitude maneuver. While the general sea state consisted of waves estimated at 1 to 1.5 feet high, the specific wave encountered was substantially larger than the surrounding swell.
The critical causal factor was the impact with this isolated large wave. The pilot's decision to attempt a landing in open ocean waters exposed the aircraft to unpredictable hydrodynamic hazards. The combination of low altitude, limited visibility of underwater or surface obstacles until the last moment, and the physical force of the wave resulted in catastrophic structural failure.
The pilot was not injured in the incident, having evacuated the sinking aircraft before it went under. However, the loss of the airframe highlights the extreme risks associated with water landings outside of designated emergency protocols or prepared surfaces.