Incident Overview
During a water departure, the pilot advanced the throttle, and the airplane accelerated normally, becoming airborne at about 60 mph. As the airplane broke free of the water, it began to pull to the right. The pilot initially considered this normal, reasoning that during water departures, one float often lifts off before the other, causing a slight turn in the opposite direction. However, in this instance, the rightward turn continued unabated.
Pilot Actions and Outcome
The pilot attempted to arrest the turn by applying left stick and left rudder, but found these controls ineffective. The airplane subsequently struck the water, contacting the right float and right wing first. It then flipped over and came to rest inverted. Both the pilot and passenger were wearing life vests and were able to exit the airplane from underwater.
Post-Incident Findings
A witness reported calm winds at the time. Examination of the airplane revealed that flight control continuity was established. The floats exhibited minimal corrosion, and all float chambers were intact. The pilot held a seaplane rating, which he received in July 1993, and had accumulated approximately 30 hours of floatplane experience prior to the accident.