Accident Overview
A seaplane was involved in an accident while taking off from a lake located near Port Moller. During the takeoff run, the left wing float stayed in the water, causing the aircraft to plunge into the water. The airplane sustained substantial damage and was subsequently written off.
Injuries and Damage
All three occupants of the seaplane escaped with minor injuries. The aircraft itself was written off due to the damage incurred during the accident.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident was determined to be a dragged wingtip during the takeoff run, which resulted from improper operation of brakes and/or flight controls. The following contributing factors were reported: failure to abort the takeoff, lack of familiarity with the aircraft, the lagoon-open water environment, and the pilot's 33 hours of pilot-in-command experience in the type of aircraft.