What happened
On March 29, 2005, at approximately 12:41 UTC, a Grumman G44 Widgeon, registration OE-FWS, was performing a water landing on Lake Garda, near Manerba del Garda, Italy. The aircraft had departed from Salzburg, Austria, for a recreational flight.
As the pilot approached the water, all landing checks were confirmed, and the aircraft was in a stable descent. The pilot intended to make contact with the water using the forward section of the hull, as is standard for this type of amphibian. However, upon initial contact, the aircraft lost control and impacted the water surface with a high roll angle and a nose-down attitude. The impact caused the aircraft to perform an outside loop, resulting in the engine and wing assembly being torn from the airframe and sinking to a depth of approximately 120 meters. The fuselage subsequently settled on the lake floor at a depth of about 20 meters. The two occupants managed to escape the submerged wreckage and were rescued by a nearby Carabinieri patrol boat. Both individuals sustained minor injuries (contusions) and were later released from the hospital.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's experience, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy, with all inspections and registrations up to date. The pilot was highly experienced, with over 23,000 total flight hours, though his experience on this specific type was limited to 130 hours.
Investigators also analyzed the aerodynamic forces acting on the aircraft during the landing phase. The investigation focused on the aircraft's configuration—specifically the forward center of gravity due to the lack of rear passengers—and the aerodynamic effects of reducing power during the transition from air to water.