Event GAA18CA321

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during approach to the ocean bay, the float-equipped airplane encountered very light turbulence. The touchdown was normal, but seconds later he "felt" a strong wind on the tail from the left, that lifted the tail of the airplane. The front of the right float submerged, and he immediately "pulled back and left" on the controls with no response. Subsequently, the right float struts collapsed and the right wing impacted the water, the airplane spun approximately 90° to 120° to the right, the left wing impacted the water, and the airplane came to rest upright on the floats. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation system about 20 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 160° at 9 knots. The pilot landed to the south. The pilot reported that, during approach to the ocean bay, the float-equipped airplane encountered very light turbulence. The touchdown was normal, but seconds later he "felt" a strong wind on the airplane's tail from the left that lifted the tail. The front of the right float submerged, and he immediately "pulled back and left" on the controls with no response. Subsequently, the right float struts collapsed, and the right wing impacted the water, the airplane spun about 90° to 120° to the right, the left wing impacted the water, and the airplane came to rest upright on the floats. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation system about 20 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 160° at 9 knots. The pilot landed to the south. 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-Pitch control-Not attained/maintained - C
• 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-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Response/compensation
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Sudden wind shift-Effect on operation