What happened
A private pilot and a passenger were maneuvering a float-equipped airplane near several boats with the intention of landing nearby to inquire about fishing. According to the occupants, the pilot attempted a landing after flying past several vessels. The passenger reported that the pilot was performing a no-flap landing when the floats struck a submerged log. This impact caused the aircraft to be thrown sharply back into the air. The pilot then pulled the airplane upward, resulting in an aerodynamic stall approximately 75 feet above the water. The aircraft subsequently descended nose-down, collided with the water, and inverted.
Witnesses from nearby boats provided different accounts of the flight path. One witness observed the aircraft flying at an altitude of 25 feet for approximately 150 yards before it suddenly pulled up into a vertical climb exceeding 90 degrees. This witness noted that the aircraft did not touch the water prior to the sudden pitch-up, after which it rolled and descended from about 100 feet.
A second witness reported that the aircraft flew directly over several boats at an altitude between 15 and 30 feet. This witness stated the airplane maintained a level flight path for a short distance before suddenly pitching straight up, followed by a stall and descent to the water. This observer indicated that the aircraft did not strike any object in the water during its low-altitude passage over the boats.
The 2 occupants were assisted by individuals on nearby boats following the impact. There were 0 fatalities reported.