Incident Overview
A pilot was conducting an approach for a water landing in a canal that had been used for floatplane operations during the previous summer. The approach occurred at dusk. The pilot was searching for a specific boat moored in the canal to use as a landing mark and extended the approach path beyond the normal touchdown point.
Collision with Cable
During the approach, the aircraft struck a telephone cable that spanned the canal. The impact severed the vertical tail of the aircraft, causing it to lose control.
Subsequent Impact
After striking the cable, the aircraft contacted the water surface in an aggravated skid. It then bounced off the water and onto the shoreline, where it struck a bystander.