LA-4-200 Buccaneer
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Sea
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 21; Flight Crew Total 493; Flight Crew Type 106
Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Human Factors; Weather
During the weekend; I had given several friends a short ride in my seaplane. Each flight departed and landed on the surface of a lake. On board were myself; plus one adult; and two minors; for a total of four persons. We had no cargo; and 27 gallons of fuel in the main tank. The auxiliary tanks were empty. The incident occurred during an aborted takeoff attempt. Wind was from the south at 8 MPH and slightly gusty. We taxied to the north end of the lake to a cove for smooth water. I started my takeoff run to the southeast along the shore line. I was unable to get airborne before we left the cove and we started to encounter rough water; so I began to slow down and turned toward the east to head to another cove. When I turned slightly left again to the northeast; we encountered some boat wake rollers and skipped several times. At this point either the nose gear door or the right wing float caught the water and we experienced what I believe was a water loop. There we no injuries; but one wing float was bent and the other had come off. A boat approached and I had them take my three passengers to shore and send a friend to tow me back. Once the airplane was beached I also noted minor damage to lower wing skins; rudder; left flap; left aileron; and one front landing gear door.I was rested and in a good mental state to pilot this aircraft. I was current; and I feel I was well trained when I got my seaplane rating in this aircraft. I now question my judgment in giving this ride with passengers; given the existing wind and water conditions. I also believe I should have slowed down more before turning to find a second location for takeoff. Optimally I could have aborted the entire flight after the first failed takeoff attempt.
Seaplane aborted takeoff attempt due to rough water conditions. When attempting to turn during subsequent taxi aircraft experienced a 'water loop' resulting in aircraft damage.