What happened
During an approach to Avalon on Santa Catalina Island, a seaplane encountered challenging weather conditions characterized by fog and low cloud cover. While performing a straight-in approach toward the seaplane ramp, the pilot observed boat wakes in the vicinity of the flight path. In response to these obstacles, the pilot executed a go-around maneuver.
During this transition, the seaplane experienced an aerodynamic stall, resulting in a loss of altitude. The aircraft subsequently impacted the water a few hundred yards from Pebbly Beach. The accident resulted in one fatality due to drowning. Of the remaining occupants, the pilot and two passengers sustained serious injuries, while seven others were treated for minor injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the aircraft stalled during the aborted approach because the pilot misjudged the necessary speed, altitude, and distance from the water. Several environmental and operational factors contributed to the event:
- Failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the maneuver
- Reduced visibility due to fog and a low cloud ceiling
- Visibility restricted to two miles or less
- The decision to initiate a go-around after spotting boat wakes
- A low-altitude approach path toward the ramp