What happened
A normal preflight inspection was performed on the float plane prior to departure, during which only some straw from a bird's nest was removed. While climbing to altitude over Big Moose Lake—an area where the occupants had been fishing—two witnesses reported that the aircraft's engine appeared to be running at full power.
According to a passenger, the engine began to lose power, prompting the pilot to reverse course in an attempt to land on the lake. The pilot was unable to reach the water, and the aircraft collided with trees and swampy terrain during the emergency landing. There were no fatalities reported.
The investigation
The investigation found no preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft or the engine. Following the accident, minor repairs were completed, and the engine functioned normally during an operational check.