Accident Sequence
According to the report submitted by the flying club chief, the pilot failed to release the tail tiedown during the preflight inspection. The tiedown was attached to a 4x4 post embedded in a concrete weight.
During the initial attempted takeoff, the airplane would not get on step. The pilot aborted the takeoff.
A second takeoff was attempted from the middle of the lake. During this takeoff, the nose began to pitch up, approaching a stall condition. The pilot pushed the yoke forward, and the airplane settled back onto the water just prior to impact with the lake's departure end shoreline.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The report did not specify the aircraft type, registration, engine count, or operator. The pilot's identity and experience level were not provided. No information was given regarding injuries, damage, time of day, or weather conditions.
Investigation
No official probable cause was stated in the source. The report noted that the tail tiedown remained attached, but did not assign causation. No ATC involvement was mentioned.