Background
On a training flight originating from Apalachicola Municipal Airport, a pilot-rated student occupied the left pilot seat, and a certified flight instructor (CFI) occupied the right seat. The flight involved instruction over the Apalachicola River.
Sequence of Events
After takeoff and while flying over the river, the CFI announced an intention to demonstrate an engine-out landing on water and took control of the airplane. The CFI landed the airplane on the water and subsequently applied power to initiate a takeoff. During the takeoff run, while on step taxi and facing a green-colored buoy ahead, the CFI asked the student which side of the buoy to pass. The student replied "the left side." The CFI maneuvered the airplane to the left, but a portion of the right wing collided with the buoy. The impact caused the airplane to rotate 90 degrees to the right before coming to rest.
Aftermath
Following the collision, the airplane was taxied on the river to a boat ramp, where it was secured on land. The CFI advised the student that the occurrence was an incident, not an accident, and therefore not reportable. However, the airplane owner subsequently reported the event to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on February 19, 2003. The NTSB determined that the airplane had sustained substantial damage and classified the event as an accident.