What happened
The pilot was performing a takeoff from a narrow river when the aircraft veered toward the left side of the waterway. To maintain steerage during the downriver takeoff, the pilot had initially kept the water rudders extended. As the aircraft reached the step phase of the takeoff, it swerved toward shallow water. The pilot was unable to avoid striking the riverbank.
According to statements from five of the six passengers on board, the aircraft moved toward the bank at the moment the pilot diverted his attention downward to retract the water rudders. While some passengers reported calm wind conditions, others did not specify the weather; however, the pilot noted that the swerve may have been caused by a left-side wind gust or the left float dragging along the shallow river bottom.
There were no injuries reported among the occupants following the impact.