What happened
The pilot initiated a takeoff run toward the southeast in a float-equipped airplane. During the initial phase of departure, the aircraft briefly became airborne before settling back onto the water surface due to gusty wind conditions. Rather than aborting the maneuver, the pilot continued the takeoff roll across the water.
As the aircraft accelerated, the pilot experienced significant visual impairment. Water on the windshield combined with intense sun glare severely diminished his vision to the right side of the aircraft. Consequently, he failed to see a metal marker buoy positioned in the flight path. The right wing struck the unseen buoy, resulting in damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's account of the event and the physical evidence of the impact. Key factors identified included the environmental conditions and visibility issues during the critical takeoff phase.