Incident Overview
A float-equipped airplane cartwheeled in the water during a landing on a lake. The aircraft came to rest inverted. The accident occurred in gusty wind conditions.
Pilot Account
The pilot reported that after a 45-minute flight, they arrived at their destination lake. The winds were out of the south-southwest at 20 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The pilot circled the lake and made a short field landing approach to the southeast at 70 miles per hour with 30 degrees of flaps. Just prior to touchdown, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, causing the airplane to balloon. The pilot applied opposite aileron and added power. However, the right float touched the water first, pulling the right wing down into the water. The airplane then cartwheeled and came to rest inverted.
Weather Conditions
The nearest weather reporting station was located approximately 12 miles north of the accident location. The winds recorded 23 minutes after the accident were from 150 degrees at 19 knots, gusting to 28 knots. The winds recorded 23 minutes prior to the accident were from 140 degrees at 21 knots, gusting to 29 knots. The winds recorded 1 hour and 37 minutes prior to the accident were from 120 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 24 knots.