What happened
A student pilot had rented an aircraft from a flying club for a flight. Witnesses observed the aircraft approaching a body of water from the south end at a low altitude. The plane struck the surface of the lake, impacting first with the right main landing gear and the tip of the right wing. Following the impact, the aircraft nosed over into the water.
The environmental conditions at the time were noted by witnesses as having "glassy" water, which can make depth perception difficult for pilots. Additionally, the sun had already set, reducing visibility and contrast. The student pilot involved in the accident had accumulated a total of 57 flight hours at the time of the incident.
The investigation
The physical evidence indicated a low-altitude approach that resulted in a water impact. The specific point of initial contact was identified as the right main landing gear and the right wing tip, leading to the subsequent nosing over of the aircraft. The glassy water surface and sunset lighting conditions were significant factors in the environment during the accident sequence.
Findings
The accident occurred during the landing phase or low-level maneuvering near a lake. Contributing factors included the pilot's limited experience with only 57 total flight hours, the challenging visual conditions caused by glassy water and sunset lighting, and the decision to operate at a low altitude in such an environment.