According to the Lake LA-4 pilot, he made a pass over a lake near Monticello, Ky., in search of a landing site with the least amount of boat traffic. After an uneventful water landing, he began to water taxi the airplane.
He and his passenger then noticed a large wave approaching at a 45° angle from the port side of the airplane.
As the wave hit the airplane’s pontoons, the pilot encountered a strong left rudder deflection and the airplane nosed over into the water.
A post-accident examination by an FAA inspector revealed substantial damage to the airplane’s nose section.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as an encounter with a large wave during water taxi, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.
NTSB Identification: ERA13CA413
This August 2013 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.
“The NTSB determined the probable cause as an encounter with a large wave during water taxi, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.” I’ve read all the NTSB conclusions here, and am convinced that we must be paying these guys for their incredible gifts in divining the obvious “probable cause.” Where do I sign up?
Many lakes don’t have good information for aircraft usage and many boaters don’t either. This incident seems to be caused by a boater either purposely or accidentally turned away when very close to the taxying aircraft. That swell must have been sizeable, even in shallow waters to cause the bow to hit bottom and damage the hull.