The pilot reported that he was at a seaplane event in Tavares, Florida, participating in a landing contest on a lake.
During landing with a 14-knot crosswind, he reported that the Aventura was slightly fast. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane hit a wake and bounced. About two to three feet above the water, he initiated a go-around and applied right aileron control, but the left wing descended, hit the water, and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing on water, and his failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.
This October 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Classic case of large aileron input near stall speed, which causes increased induced drag on the down aileron side, and a wing drop/roll opposite of the control input. Pilots just continue to do the same stupid things, with the same results, and we wonder why we can’t lower the rate of plane crashes.
All ” certitude airplanes ” must Demonstrate by flight test a 20% of Vso crossword.
This is not an absolute limitation. If the certification flight test has a 40% crosswind that would be demonstrated if an ordinary test pilot could do it.
Seaplane often land ( splash ) or takeoff on one float to reduce water drag.
Trying to takeoff or land wings level is wrong.
Even on a lake a Landing Lane creates a limitation because you can’t always land into the wind.
What is demonstrated cross wind capability of the aircraft? Seems to me a relevant factor in this incident.
I sure he got the award for the quickest stop at least 😉