Incident Overview
The pilot of an amphibious airplane reported that during a no-flap water landing, he observed a descent rate higher than expected. He applied full power to initiate a go-around, but the airplane contacted the water with a hard impact. Following the landing, the pilot and passenger exited the aircraft and were rescued without further incident.
Aircraft Damage
The fuselage of the airplane sustained substantial damage as a result of the hard water contact.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Environmental Conditions
According to the pilot, he believes the airplane encountered "a windshift/shear to a tailwind as [he] transitioned high to low for landing approach toward the [south-southwest]". A review of recorded data from an automated weather observation station located about 6 miles to the west of the accident site indicated that approximately 17 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 090° at 9 knots.