What happened
On 11 August 2012, a LAKE 250 aircraft, registration N-84142, was performing a local pleasure flight on Hultebräan lake in Kalmar County. During the landing sequence, the aircraft made contact with the water surface. While the pilot initially perceived a normal touchdown, a witness and the passenger reported that the aircraft bounced after an initial contact, briefly leaving the water before a second, more severe impact occurred.
Upon the second contact, the aircraft's nose was positioned too low, preventing the fuselage's 'step' from breaking the water surface. This caused water to be drawn upward along the fuselage, creating intense drag. The high-mounted engine, weighing approximately 350 kg, created a significant forward pitching moment as resistance increased. This momentum caused the forebody of the aircraft to break apart and the plane to nose over, eventually floating upside down. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained serious injuries, including fractures, but were rescued by bystanders in nearby boats.
The investigation
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK) examined the wreckage and interviewed witnesses and the occupants. The investigation focused on the hydrodynamic characteristics of the aircraft during water contact. Investigators analyzed the structural failure of the nose section, noting that the underside panels showed indentations from water pressure while the topside showed compression folding. The investigation also reviewed the engine's position and mass relative to the aircraft's center of gravity and the functionality of the aircraft's 'step' design.