Primary finding
Probable cause
The loss of airplane control during a go around, which resulted in impact with the water. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of seaplane rating and inexperience in the accident airplane.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The non-seaplane rated private pilot stated that his intention was to get comfortable with the airplane. He performed several maneuvers in the air, then seven uneventful touch-and-go water landings with half flaps extended. On the final landing attempt, he fully extended the flaps and had difficulty controlling the airplane. The airplane bounced on the water twice and the pilot initiated a go-around. The airplane veered left and was headed toward houses and boat docks; he maneuvered to ditch the airplane into the water to avoid a collision. The airplane impacted the water and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot egressed the airplane with minor injuries. The pilot's lack of experience in the airplane contributed to the loss of control during the go around.
Source record
Factual narrative
The non-seaplane rated private pilot stated that his intention was to get comfortable with the airplane. He performed several maneuvers in the air, then seven uneventful touch-and-go water landings with half flaps extended. On the final landing attempt, he fully extended the flaps and had difficulty controlling the airplane. The airplane bounced on the water twice and the pilot initiated a go-around. The airplane veered left and was headed toward houses and boat docks; he maneuvered to ditch the airplane into the water to avoid a collision. The airplane impacted the water and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot egressed the airplane with minor injuries.