What happened
On a morning in Quebec, a pilot attempted to depart from Croche Lake in an amateur-built floatplane. After several failed attempts due to shifting winds, the pilot successfully lifted off toward the west using full flaps. To clear nearby mountains, the pilot maintained a climb speed between 40 and 45 mph.
At an altitude of approximately 20 feet, a gust of wind lifted the left wing. The aircraft subsequently pitched downward into a steep, left-banked turn. During the descent, the left float struck the water, causing the float tip to fail and the floats to shift under the wings. The aircraft remained upright but partially submerged.
As the occupants realized the aircraft might sink, they attempted to swim to the shore. Neither the pilot nor the passenger was wearing a life-jacket. While the pilot reached the shore, the passenger, despite being a capable swimmer, drowned and was discovered the following day.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's weight, balance, and performance capabilities. While the manufacturer's manual provided specific performance data for a different engine configuration, the accident aircraft was equipped with a heavier Teledyne Continental 0-200 engine.
Discrepancies were found regarding the aircraft's weight. Although reports suggested a much lower weight, physical weighing revealed the aircraft's takeoff weight was 1,266 lb. This was 159 lb over the maximum allowable weight and significantly exceeded the weight for which performance data were available. Additionally, the investigation found that the installation of the floats had not been recorded in the aircraft's logbooks or reported to Transport Canada.
Further analysis of the aircraft's behavior indicated that the center of gravity was beyond the forward limit, which contributed to reduced elevator effectiveness and diminished climb performance. While a wind gust may have lifted a wing, the investigation determined the aircraft entered a stall as it exited ground effect.
Findings
- The aircraft was significantly overloaded, exceeding its maximum allowable weight by 159 lb.
- The aircraft's center of gravity was excessively forward, which reduced performance and elevator effectiveness.
- The aircraft stalled at a speed higher than the manufacturer's published values due to the combination of overloading and the forward center of gravity.
- The pilot was flying at speeds near the stalling threshold.
- The occupants were not wearing life-jackets, which was a regulatory requirement.