Accident Overview
An amphibious airplane collided with the surface of a lake shortly after takeoff while flying low over glassy water. Witnesses reported the airplane was approximately 20 feet above the water traveling at about 70 miles per hour. It then "kissed" the surface, abruptly climbed to about 50 feet, turned left, and descended into the water.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. The airplane was equipped with pontoons on each wing, secured using two forward brackets and a smaller aft attachment. The left pontoon was torn from the wing and found in the floating debris field. The right wing pontoon remained attached at its aft attachment but had rotated approximately 270 degrees from its installation position, lying with its right side flush against the bottom surface of the wing. The pontoon attach brackets remained on the wing structure and were bent in an inboard direction.
Damage Analysis
The damage to the airplane and the deformation of the right pontoon were consistent with the right pontoon impacting the water unevenly first. The final impact was consistent with a nose and left wing down attitude.
Pilot Information
The pilot had accumulated about 278 hours in seaplanes prior to the accident and had last landed the airplane on water approximately 3 months before the accident. Toxicology tests were positive for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which would not have a negative effect on the pilot's performance.