Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing flare.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot he was conducting some pleasure flying and sightseeing in a float-equipped airplane. He flew over a lake and decided to do a touch-and-go landing on the lake. He said while on final approach the wind shifted and the left wing “dropped.” The wing contacted the water and the airplane spun to the left. The right front float collided with the water and the airplane landed on the tail. The pilot taxied to the shore and noticed the damage to the horizontal stabilizer. An examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and rudder. The pilot reported that there was no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.