What happened
During a flight training session involving two pilots employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), an aircraft was performing practice touch-and-go landings on a lake. The pilot in command, who is a certified flight instructor, was providing additional instruction to the second pilot to help them meet specific USFWS standards for acting as pilot-in-command.
While the second pilot was operating the aircraft during an approach to land, the airplane's floats made unintended contact with a flat, grassy area located short of the water. In response to the contact, engine power was applied, allowing the aircraft to continue its course and complete an uneventful landing on the lake.
The investigation
A postflight inspection of the aircraft was conducted following the incident. This inspection revealed damage to the fuselage near the rear attachment point of the left float.