Event Summary
A pilot planned and executed a water landing with the intent to avoid wake swells generated by a ferry boat. The landing was performed on a body of water where such boat traffic was present.
Sequence of Events
Approximately halfway through the landing slide, when the airplane had slowed to an estimated 30-35 knots, a large swell appeared directly in the aircraft's path. Despite the pilot's efforts to avoid the wake, the airplane encountered the swell, which launched it approximately 10-15 feet into the air. Subsequently, the airplane collided with the water surface.
Damage
The impact resulted in the failure of the rear float struts at their attachment points. The pilot reported that no mechanical problems with the airplane were experienced prior to or during the event.
Findings
No mechanical issues were identified. The encounter with the wake swell and the subsequent dynamic loads are understood to have led to the structural failure of the rear float struts.