What happened
The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.
(-23) Pilot in command set up for "glassy water" approach and landing at dusk on large lake. Pilot statement indicates that he had difficulty in determining where the surface was. Pilot statement also indicates that aircraft may have struck submerged log. At interview, pilot admitted that he had (a) never operated in this particular area of lake, and (b) did not overfly the area before attempting to land there. There was no evidence of a log or rock strike on either float.
As the FAA filed it
(-23) PILOT IN COMMAND SET UP FOR "GLASSY WATER" APPROACH AND LANDING AT DUSK ON LARGE LAKE. PILOT STATEMENT INDICATES THAT HE HAD DIFFICULTY IN DETERMINING WHERE THE SURFACE WAS. PILOT STATEMENT ALSO INDICATES THAT AIRCRAFT MAY HAVE STRUCK SUBMERGED LOG. AT INTERVIEW, PILOT ADMITTED THAT HE HAD (A) NEVER OPERATED IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA OF LAKE, AND (B) DID NOT OVERFLY THE AREA BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO LAND THERE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A LOG OR ROCK STRIKE ON EITHER FLOAT.
NTSB investigation
The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.