Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper rate of descent during the approach to land, and his misjudgment of altitude to flare for landing on glassy water. The glassy water condition was a related factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was landing on a lake in a float equipped airplane and was performing a curving approach to glassy water. During the landing approach, the airplane developed a high rate of descent. Just before touchdown, the pilot added engine power, but the airplane landed hard on the water. The airplane received damage to the left float, left float strut, and fuselage.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 2, 1995, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Champion 7GCBC, N9033L, crashed during landing on a lake, about 6 miles southwest of Big Lake, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Lake Hood Seaplane base, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1500. The pilot reported that he was landing on 7 Mile Lake in a northeasterly direction and was performing a curving approach to glassy water. During the landing approach, the airplane developed a high rate of descent. Just before touchdown, the pilot added engine power but the airplane experienced a hard landing on the water. The airplane received damage to the left float, left float strut, and fuselage. -