What happened
During an initial touch-and-go maneuver, the pilot touched down on the surface to evaluate snow conditions. Following a second attempt in a different area, the pilot observed the ski breaking through into water and slushy snow. The pilot then initiated a takeoff; however, immediately after leaving the surface, the rear cable on the right ski broke. This failure caused the ski to pivot, resulting in the tip pointing upward.
In response to the mechanical failure, the pilot decided to land in the area previously checked for better conditions. While performing a slow, light touchdown on the lake, the right ski touched down and swiveled 180 degrees. This movement caused the aircraft to nose over and come to rest in an inverted position. The outboard leading edge of the left wing sustained substantial damage.
The investigation
An examination during the annual inspection revealed that the pilot had replaced the right rear cable with a non-approved cable obtained from a local hardware store.