Event GAA16CA062

Factual narrative

According to the pilot of the amphibious airplane, during the takeoff run on a lake with choppy water, the airplane encountered about a six inch high wave and water-looped. The pilot reported that upon encountering the wave, the airplane's nose pitched up, the airplane ascended momentarily, then settled to the water. When the airplane settled into the water, the right sponson and wing impacted the water and immediately spun the aircraft to the right. The airplanes right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. According to the pilot of the amphibious airplane, during the takeoff run on a lake with choppy water, the airplane encountered about a six inch high wave and water-looped. The pilot reported that upon encountering the wave, the airplane's nose pitched up, the airplane ascended momentarily, then settled to the water. When the airplane settled into the water, the right sponson and wing impacted the water and immediately spun the aircraft to the right. The airplanes right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Choppy-Effect on equipment