Incident Overview
A pilot reported that after making a sea landing near Raspberry Strait, wind velocity increased to an estimated 30 knots with gusts to 45 knots. The pilot elected to take off toward the west for the return flight.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, at about 100 feet above the water, the aircraft rolled abruptly to the right and its nose pitched downward. He applied full power and opposite aileron, but the aircraft contacted the water before he could recover. During the impact, the two front compartments of the right float ruptured, and the right float strut failed. Subsequently, the right float sank, and the aircraft rolled over in the water.
Damage
The right float sustained rupture of its two front compartments and failure of its strut. The aircraft then rolled over and came to rest inverted in the water.