Floatplane Sustains Structural Damage After Hard Landing on Ocean Swells (N4471R)

Incident Details

A float-equipped airplane was conducting a landing near an ocean bay. Small ocean swells were present in the area of intended landing. The pilot reported that during the landing approach, the descent rate was excessive. She applied full power to execute a go-around, but the airplane continued to descend and the floats made firm contact with the water. Following the contact, the airplane lifted off the water, and the pilot noticed that the upper right door hinge was broken.

Post-Flight Inspection

The airplane was not flown again and was not inspected until three months later. An inspection facility examined the aircraft and found wrinkling and distortion of the lower fuselage, aft of the firewall and under the doors. All of the airplane's door hinges were broken. Additional wrinkling was observed above the baggage door, beneath the aft window. Based on these findings, the inspection facility considered the airplane unairworthy.