Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's improper touchdown on the surface of the water.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While attempting a water landing, the pilot allowed the aircraft to contact the surface at too steep of an attitude. When the nose of the left float hit the water, it dug in, and then popped back to the surface. This was followed by the right wing impacting the water, and the aircraft coming to a sudden stop. During this sequence, the aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 25, 1995, approximately 1315 Pacific standard time (PST), a float-equipped Cessna 172D, N6600T, impacted the surface of the water while attempting a landing on Lake Oswego, near Portland, Oregon. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed the Willamette river about 15 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, who had about 45 hours experience in seaplanes, he contacted the water at too steep of an attitude while attempting to land. When the left pontoon hit the water, its nose dug in, and then popped back to the surface. This was followed by the right wing impacting the water, and the aircraft coming to a sudden stop. -