Float-Equipped Airplane Water Landing Incident (N211AW)

Incident Overview and Conditions An airline transport certificated pilot was conducting a westward landing in a float-equipped airplane when the incident occurred. The wind was reported from the north at approximately five knots. The pilot stated that the aircraft was in the landing flare with an airspeed of about 50 knots at the time of touchdown. ## Sequence of Events Upon contact with the water, the left float dug into the surface, causing the airplane to pivot to the left and nose down. The left float was crushed upward against the fuselage during the impact. ## Post-Impact Actions and Aircraft Status The pilot reported that he and his passenger exited the aircraft. The airplane remained floating nose down for approximately 15 minutes before slowly nosing over. It then remained floating upside down.