What happened
While attempting to land at a seaplane base situated within a bowl-shaped cove, the pilot encountered significant water swells. This caused the aircraft to touch down too far along the waves, prompting the pilot to execute a go-around maneuver.
During this aborted landing attempt, the pilot performed a sharp turn at a low altitude to navigate around rising terrain and nearby buildings. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and struck a wooden walkway located near the seaplane dock along the shoreline. There were no indications of engine failure or mechanical malfunction prior to the impact.
The accident resulted in one fatality and two serious injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several contributing factors related to environmental conditions and pilot actions. The terrain was characterized by hilly surroundings and high obstructions, while the water surface was rough due to unfavorable wind conditions.
Key findings regarding the flight sequence include an inadequate airspeed and a delayed decision to abort the landing. The aircraft ultimately entered an inadvertent stall during the low-altitude maneuver, leading to the loss of control in flight.