Accident Overview
An amphibious float-equipped airplane was damaged during a landing on a lake. The pilot reported that he had made two landings on the lake prior to the accident landing. During the third landing, after touchdown while the airplane was still "on the step," it made a hard right turn and then rolled left. The airplane came to rest inverted in the lake.
Pilot Comments
The pilot stated that there were no wind gusts at the time of the accident. He also reported that the manually pumped landing gear was not cycled between the three landings. The pilot expressed his belief that the accident resulted from striking a submerged object during the landing.
Examination Findings
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the aircraft and found no pre-impact anomalies. The floats were specifically examined for evidence of damage due to impact with a submerged object. No damage consistent with striking a submerged object was found.
Conclusion
The investigation did not identify a definitive cause for the loss of control and subsequent damage. The absence of pre-impact anomalies and lack of evidence for a submerged object left the incident without a determined probable cause.