What happened
A commercial certificated pilot departed from a floating lodge in a float equipped airplane. Following takeoff, the aircraft entered a climbing right turn directly over the lodge while maintaining a slight climb attitude. During this maneuver, the airplane appeared to skid to the left, at which point the left wing dropped and the aircraft entered an apparent stall.
The aircraft then descended toward the ground, completing approximately a half-turn to the left. The engine remained operational throughout the descent, as engine sounds were audible until impact. The airplane struck tall trees before hitting the ground in a nose-down attitude, eventually coming to rest within a small clearing of trees. The impact caused extensive damage to the airframe, including buckling and twisting, and the engine and propeller were buried in the earth. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
The on-site investigation found no evidence of any mechanical anomalies occurring prior to the impact.