What happened
The pilot reported that shortly after the aircraft departed from the water surface, the wind speed or direction, or both, underwent a sudden change. As a result of these altered atmospheric conditions, the airplane ceased its climb and subsequently impacted the terrain at the edge of the lake.
The pilot noted that the aircraft was departing with a light load and had previously utilized this specific lake for takeoffs approximately 50 to 60 times without incident. Following the event, the pilot acknowledged that waiting for more stable wind conditions would have been the prudent course of action.
The investigation
No mechanical examination or physical evidence analysis is detailed in the provided source material. The account relies entirely on the pilot's narrative regarding the environmental conditions during departure.
Findings
- The airplane stopped climbing after leaving the water surface.
- A change in wind speed or direction occurred immediately after takeoff.
- The aircraft impacted terrain at the edge of the lake.
- The pilot recognized that waiting for steady wind would have prevented the incident.