What happened
The pilot was conducting a takeoff operation oriented toward the southeast. During the initial climb phase, as the aircraft was transitioning onto its landing gear wheels (on the step), it encountered a crosswind condition. The wind was reported to be variable from the south to the southwest, with speeds of 13 knots and gusts reaching between 15 and 18 knots.
The crosswind component lifted the right wing of the aircraft. This asymmetric lift caused the left wing to strike the surface of the water. The impact forced the aircraft to spin to the left, resulting in the nose also striking the water. Subsequently, the aircraft flipped over onto its back and sank into the water, which was approximately 20 feet deep at the location of the incident.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this accident were the variable crosswind conditions during takeoff and the subsequent loss of directional control. The gusting winds from the south to southwest created a lateral force that exceeded the pilot's ability to maintain level flight, leading to the wing strike and eventual sinking of the aircraft.