Event GAA18CA270

Factual narrative

The pilot of the amphibious float-equipped airplane reported that, during landing touchdown on a paved runway, the airplane encountered a wind gust and the airplane became airborne. The pilot added full power to go around, but the left wing aerodynamically stalled and the left float struck the runway, resulting in a cartwheel. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station, located 11 miles west of the accident airport, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 040° at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 8. The pilot of the airplane reported that, during touchdown on a paved runway, the airplane encountered a wind gust and then became airborne. The pilot added full power to go around, but the left wing aerodynamically stalled, and the left float struck the runway, which resulted in a cartwheel. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station, located 11 miles west of the accident airport, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 040° at 7 knots. The airplane landed on runway 8. 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-Angle of attack-Capability exceeded - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C