Incident Overview
A single-engine floatplane collided with an 18-foot powerboat during a water takeoff. The floatplane was departing from a privately owned water strip on a waterway when the powerboat entered the waterway from an intersecting canal and crossed ahead of the floatplane's takeoff path. The powerboat then executed a U-turn in front of the aircraft.
The pilot, an airline transport pilot with 12,911 hours of flight experience, attempted to avoid the powerboat by trying to take off prematurely. The amphibian float impacted the boat, causing the floatplane to nose-over as it hit the water. The floatplane sustained structural damage and came to rest partly submerged. The sole occupant of the powerboat was fatally injured.
Witness Accounts
One passenger witness stated that they were up to very close takeoff speed when they saw the boat approaching at a high rate of speed from the canal. Another passenger reported hearing the front passenger ask, "Do you have the boat?" to which the pilot replied, "He's turning into us!"
A witness standing on the shore observed the floatplane preparing for takeoff and saw the powerboat execute a 180-degree turn in front of the floatplane.
Aftermath
The floatplane came to rest partly submerged with structural damage. Emergency response details were not provided in the source.