What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23)On April 7, 2000, FAA inspector privacy data omitted was conducting a private pilot additional rating certification test. While the pilot/applicant was performing a normal approach and landing task, the floats separated the airplane sank in approximately seven to eight feet of water. During the initial response and investigation of the incident, only the floats had been recovered. The rear float spreader bar was missing. The attach points for the rear spreader bar showed evidence of severe corrosion. On April 8, 2000 the aircraft was recovered from the water by the owner. On April 14,2000 I was able to inspect the aircraft and did not find any other significant damage.
As the FAA filed it
(-23)ON APRIL 7, 2000, FAA INSPECTOR ^PRIVACY DATA^ WAS CONDUCTING A PRIVATE PILOT ADDITIONAL RATING CERTIFICATION TEST. WHILE THE PILOT/APPLICANT WAS PERFORMING A NORMAL APPROACH AND LANDING TASK, THE FLOATS SEPARATED THE AIRPLANE SANK IN APPROXIMATELY SEVEN TO EIGHT FEET OF WATER. DURING THE INITIAL RESPONSE AND INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT, ONLY THE FLOATS HAD BEEN RECOVERED. THE REAR FLOAT SPREADER BAR WAS MISSING. THE ATTACH POINTS FOR THE REAR SPREADER BAR SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SEVERE CORROSION. ON APRIL 8, 2000 THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE WATER BY THE OWNER. ON APRIL 14,2000 I WAS ABLE TO INSPECT THE AIRCRAFT AND DID NOT FIND ANY OTHER SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.