What happened
Immediately following takeoff, the pilot of a float-equipped airplane encountered significant difficulty lowering the aircraft's nose. This inability to pitch down led to an aerodynamic stall, which resulted in the aircraft impacting the water. The pilot noted that a large moose rack was tied to the left float at the time of the accident and expressed concern that the elevator trim may have failed to function.
The investigation
Two FAA inspectors conducted a postaccident inspection of the aircraft's control surfaces and mechanisms. They found that the rear stabilizer hinge was free to rotate and the stabilizer rear trim mechanism was in the neutral position, rotating freely.
Regarding the cockpit controls, the inspectors discovered that the stabilizer trim actuator handle was missing. Furthermore, they determined that the actuator would only partially engage. The investigation could not establish whether these mechanical discrepancies were present prior to the accident or if they were a result of the impact.