What happened
On the day of the accident, a pilot was performing a landing in a float-equipped airplane toward the southeast on a lake near a point of land. As the aircraft entered the landing flare, approximately two feet before touchdown, the pilot observed a blurred object moving perpendicular to the aircraft's path on the right side. Immediately following this observation, an impact occurred on the right float.
Once the aircraft settled off the step, the pilot identified that a collision had taken place with an eastbound jet ski and its rider. The operator of the stand-up type jet ski was traveling east approximately 30 feet from the shore when the impact occurred. At the time of the collision, the aircraft had not yet touched the water surface. The jet ski operator estimated her speed to be between 20 and 35 mph.
The investigation
The inspection of the aircraft revealed damage to the underside of the right float, specifically affecting the right sister keelson at the step bulkhead and along the keel area aft of the step bulkhead. The jet ski sustained damage to its upper handle portion.
Findings
- The collision resulted in multiple fractures to the left arm of the jet ski operator.
- A review of Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and U.S. Coast Guard navigation rules showed no specific right-of-way regulations governing the interaction between an airborne seaplane and a vessel on the water.