Seaplane or Amphibian
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 48.5; Flight Crew Total 387.7; Flight Crew Type 130
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
After a normal landing on the water; aircraft suddenly start to turn right. I correct the course of the plane and put in idle speed to continue taxing it back to a location on the shoreline of the lake. When at idle speed noticed aircraft was leaning toward the passenger side. I opened the door to check if I could notice some problems with the floats but I saw nothing. I kept taxing back (8 minutes) I noticed more leaning to the right float. I tried to put the plane on step to speed up towards shore understanding I had a problem and one float was taking in water fast. I was able to put the plane on step for few seconds but difficult to keep straight and plane sinking more on the right side. I went back to idle; 100 feet from shore hoping to make it and I saw plane flipping slowly nose in the lake. I told copilot to abandon the aircraft; while shutting off the engine so propeller would not hurt pilot and copilot falling forward and to minimize engine and prop damage. I Opened the seat belt with right hand keeping an eye on copilot and same time open door with left hand. Plane flipped and water rushed in. I was able to squeeze myself out ... copilot was out as well. I did not hit anything on the water and before landing I did a W.E.T. circle (weather; environment; terrain check); landed with 2 flaps at 65 mph normal. After recovering the plane we noticed 2 compartments collapsed on the right float; I believed they failed A third compartment (horizontal wall side) failed inside due to taxing on step and that caused the plane to finally sink. These float compartments are only glued ; have no structure and were supposed to be in CARBON FIBER and composite. I noticed no carbon fiber; only composite. I lost the plane because of float failure!
Reporter states that the winds were light and the water surface was calm during landing. Post flight examination of the float revealed that two compartments had collapsed due to failure of internal bulkheads. He believes that either design flaws or manufacturing defects caused the float to fail.
After a water landing on a calm surface; the pilot of an amphibious aircraft notes the aircraft beginning to lean to the right. An attempt to fast taxi to the shore results in the aircraft sinking faster and eventually flipping 100 feet from shore.