What happened
During a takeoff maneuver from the waters of Rivers Inlet, a seaplane encountered sudden and powerful wind gusts. This atmospheric disturbance caused one of the aircraft's wings to make contact with the water surface. Following this impact, the pilot lost control of the vessel, leading to an uncontrolled descent that ended when the plane came to a stop.
Although the incident resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond repair, there were no casualties reported. All seven occupants on board escaped the event without any injuries.
Findings
- The primary factor in the accident was the impact of strong winds during the takeoff phase.