Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper preflight planning/decision, and his delayed aborted takeoff. Contributing was the pilot's failure to use the airplane performance data.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During takeoff the floatplane would climb no higher than 5 to 10 feet above the water. The pilot cut the throttle and the airplane landed hard in a small pond like marshy area just past the lake from where the airplane departed. The pilot did not hold a seaplane rating. The pilot said the airplane was loaded to within about 50 pounds of its maximum certificated gross weight. The pilot and a witness said it was a hot day and there was no wind.
Source record
Factual narrative
-