Accident Overview
The accident occurred shortly after takeoff when the floatplane, equipped with EDO floats installed 20 days prior, crashed and was destroyed by ground impact and postcrash fire. Ground scars measured 50 feet in length. A witness reported hearing a series of engine rpm changes, with the last being the engine going to full power.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The pilot had accumulated 5.8 hours of total time in this airplane on floats. The revised weight and balance, following the float installation, indicated a new useful load of 439 pounds. The pilot weighed 185 pounds and was carrying a passenger weighing approximately 170 pounds. The airplane had 36 gallons of fuel onboard. The combined weight of pilot, passenger, and fuel totaled 571 pounds, which was about 132 pounds over the airplane's maximum allowable gross weight.
Examination Findings
An examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact flight control failure or any engine mechanical malfunction.
Fuel Sample
A fuel sample from the right fuel tank appeared to be a mixture of auto gas and oil of the type commonly used for fuel in a two-stroke engine. The sample was gold in color and had an oily feel when left to dry.