What happened
The private certificated pilot was operating a float-equipped airplane at a low altitude over a body of water. The flight was in the final stages of approach, with the pilot preparing for a landing on the lake surface. During this maneuvering phase, the aircraft executed a right turn.
While completing the turn, the airplane entered a stall condition. Loss of lift caused the aircraft to descend rapidly and collide with the water. Upon impact, the force of the collision caused the nose of the airplane to pitch forward violently. The aircraft nosed over and came to rest partially submerged in the lake.
The investigation
Post-acc examination revealed substantial damage to the airframe. The wings, fuselage, and empennage sustained significant structural deformation consistent with a high-energy impact with the water surface.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies or irregularities with the airplane prior to the stall. At the time of the accident, the pilot estimated wind conditions from the northwest at 10 knots. No other factors were cited by the pilot regarding the cause of the stall.