Accident Sequence
A float-equipped aircraft made multiple takeoff attempts on a lake, becoming airborne at least once prior to the accident. On the takeoff run that ended in the accident, the pilot turned into an inlet after becoming airborne with insufficient room to turn the aircraft around. Witnesses reported that the engine sounded good. The aircraft then started a left turn, and the nose was observed to fall through the horizon, with the aircraft making contact with the water in a nose-low, left-wing-low attitude.
Rescue
Rescuers removed both occupants from the submerged aircraft within 5 to 10 minutes after the accident. Both occupants were wearing seat belts, but the shoulder harnesses were not used.
Weight
The aircraft was determined to be between 80 and 250 pounds over its maximum gross weight at takeoff.