What happened
The float plane crashed shortly after taking off from Lake Delton while on a sightseeing flight. The aircraft was used daily during the tourist season on flights of approximately 15 minutes long. This was the 8th or 9th flight of the day and was the 4th or 5th flight since refueling. A passenger and several witnesses on the ground thought that the engine had lost power. The survivors of the crash both agreed that the aircraft was over land when a sharp left turn was made back toward the water. During this turn, the aircraft struck trees and crashed approximately 40 feet from the shoreline.
The investigation
A post-crash examination of the engine did not reveal any specific reason for the loss of power. An autopsy and toxicological tests of the pilot failed to reveal any in-flight incapacitation.