What happened
A commercial pilot was operating an air taxi flight carrying three passengers and cargo, maneuvering a float-equipped Cessna (type not specified in source) for landing at a remote lake. A ground witness observed the aircraft in a left bank near the end of the lake, noting a nose-up attitude of approximately 30 degrees at about 75 feet above the ground. The witness believed the aircraft was entering a stall before it descended in a nose-down attitude and disappeared behind trees.
The pilot reported that during the approach, the aircraft entered an area of "tremendous sink." Despite applying full power to arrest the descent, the aircraft continued into the trees. The pilot noted wind conditions of approximately 20 to 25 knots from the north, burbling over a nearby hill.
Upon locating the wreckage, the witness found the aircraft in a nose-down position. Most cargo remained inside the aircraft, with the exception of several small propane bottles and matches. There were no fatalities reported.
The investigation
An FAA inspector and Coast Guard personnel weighed the cargo, which consisted of fishing and camping equipment totaling 430 pounds. The combined weight of the pilot and passengers was 828 pounds, and the fuel weight was calculated at 240 pounds. While the aircraft's maximum gross weight was 3,350 pounds, the total weight at the time of the accident was calculated to be 3,716 pounds.
The investigation found that while the aircraft was configured for two second-row seats, no such seats were present in the airplane or at the scene; the attaching screws had been left in a pouch behind the pilot's seat. Additionally, no cargo restraints were found within the aircraft. An examination of the aircraft revealed no evidence of mechanical discrepancies prior to impact.