What happened
Following a 45-minute flight, the pilot arrived at the destination lake under windy conditions. Winds were reported as originating from the south-southwest at 20 knots, with gusts reaching 28 knots. The pilot performed a circling pattern before initiating a short-field landing approach to the southeast at 70 miles per hour with 30 degrees of flaps.
Just before touchdown, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, causing the aircraft to balloon. Although the pilot applied opposite aileron and increased power, the right float made contact with the water first. This action pulled the right wing down into the water, resulting in the aircraft cartwheeling and coming to rest in an inverted position. The pilot was not injured.
Weather observations near the accident site, recorded approximately 12 miles north, indicated winds from 150 degrees at 19 knots with gusts to 28 knots roughly 23 minutes after the event. Observations taken 23 minutes prior to the accident showed winds from 140 degrees at 21 knots, gusting to 29 knots.