NTSB Factual Report

On September 11, 2005, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a float-equipped Aviat A-1B, N7QR, sustained substantial damage during a water landing on a bay near Drummond Island, Michigan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight departed Maple Island, Michigan, at 1030 on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he decided to land in a bay on the northeast side of Drummond Island. He reported that he had landed on the bay many times previously. The pilot reported that the water on the bay was calm and sheltered from the wind. He reported that during the approach he experienced wind buffets as he flew over the tress. He reported, "We then experienced a downdraft which I tried to hold off the floats, but the right float hit hard, veering the plane to the right." The airplane began to porpoise up and down toward the shore. He attempted to stop the porpoising by pulling back on the stick. The airplane impacted the rocky shoreline and nosed over. The pilot and passenger evacuated the airplane without injury.

A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector examined the airplane. He reported that the inspection of the flight control system did not reveal any evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions, his failure to perform a go-around, and he flared improperly. Factors included the downdraft and the shoreline.