Float-Equipped Air Taxi Overload During Remote Lake Landing (N7300R)

Incident Overview and Witness Account A commercial certificated pilot was conducting an on-demand air taxi flight with three passengers and cargo when the float-equipped airplane crashed while maneuvering for a landing at a remote lake. A ground witness observed the aircraft in a left bank near the end of the lake. The witness reported that the airplane began a left turn with a nose-up attitude of about 30 degrees at an altitude of approximately 75 feet above the ground, leading the witness to believe a stall was imminent. The aircraft then descended toward the ground in a nose-down attitude and disappeared behind trees. The witness later located the airplane in a nose-down position, with most of its contents retained inside, except for several small propane bottles and matches. ## Pilot Report and Environmental Conditions The pilot stated that upon approach to landing, the airplane entered an area of “tremendous sink.” He reported applying full power in an attempt to arrest the sink, but the aircraft continued descending into the trees. The pilot estimated the wind was blowing at 20 to 25 knots from the north, burbling over a hill to the northeast of the lake. However, the ground witness did not recall any significant wind conditions at the scene. Wind conditions reported at the closest official weather observation station, located 30 miles away, indicated 020 degrees at 3 knots. ## Weight, Configuration, and Mechanical Findings An FAA inspector, assisted by Coast Guard personnel, collected and weighed the cargo contents. The cargo, consisting of camping and fishing equipment including personal possessions, totaled 430 pounds. The combined weight of the pilot and passengers was 828 pounds, and the fuel weight was calculated as 240 pounds. The airplane’s gross weight was 3,350 pounds, while its calculated weight at the time of the accident was 3,716 pounds. The aircraft was equipped with two front seats and configured for the installation of two individual second-row seats, but no second-row seats were found in the airplane or at the scene. The attaching screws for the rear seats were found in a pouch behind the pilot’s seat. No cargo restraints were found in the airplane. The company operations manual contained a statement indicating that overloaded aircraft would not be tolerated. Examination of the airplane did not reveal evidence of any pre-impact mechanical discrepancies.