BOCA GRANDE, FL, USA
N10430
Maule M-7-235B
The pilot stated he was making a landing to smooth water. The left float collided with a wave. The airplane rotated to the left about 30 degrees, and the right wing tip collided with the water.
On April 3, 1999, about 1200 eastern standard time, a Maule M-7-235B seaplane, N10430, crashed on landing at Boca Grande, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The seaplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The private pilot passenger reported serious injuries. The flight originated from Captiva Island, Florida, about 10 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he was making a landing to smooth water. The left float collided with a big wave when flying parallel to the water. The airplane rotated to the left about 30 degrees, the right wing tip touched the water, which turned the airplane into the original direction.
The pilots failure to maintain a visual lookout on landing resulting in an in-flight collision with a wave.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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