Incident Details
A charter positioning flight from Hamilton Island Marina to Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, was conducted. At approximately 1615 local time, the pilot was landing the aircraft towards the south, about 600 metres off the beach, to avoid mechanical turbulence associated with terrain at the southern end of Whitehaven Beach. The pilot reported that the approach and flare were normal. However, as the aircraft touched down on the right float, it swung sharply right and then sharply left. The left wing contacted the water, and the aircraft overturned.
Aftermath
The pilot exited the upturned aircraft through the left rear passenger door and activated a 121.5 MHz distress beacon. The timeliness of the pilot's rescue from the upturned aircraft was attributed to the effectiveness of the company's flight monitoring system and subsequent search and rescue actions.
Probable Cause
The official findings stated that the wind strength and sea state at the time of the occurrence were not ideal for floatplane operations, particularly given the pilot's relative lack of experience in open water operations. It was unlikely that the non-standard floats contributed significantly to the development of the accident. The loss of directional control suggests a lower than ideal pitch attitude at touchdown, a configuration which reduces a floatplane's directional stability.