20170805012379I

On Saturday August 5th around 1630 the pilot left from Tavares Seaplane Base (FA1) in one of their Cessna 206 aircrafts N171RS. He flew directly across the lake to pick up two passengers for a 30 min sightseeing tour at 1645 from the dock at the lakeside inn in mt dora, FL. Upon picking up the passengers (1 adult male, 1 adult female and a dog) they proceeded to taxi out to set up to take off to the west. Pilot reported he went through normal takeoff checklists and preparations for the departure and commenced a takeoff run. Pilot stated while making his way across the lake he was unable to get the airplane up on the step which is where seaplanes can start to build up enough speed to takeoff. Pilot stated since he was unable to get to that point he decided to come off the power and water taxi back to the FA1, Tavares sea base. Pilot acknowledged that they were up for a long taxi back to FA1. At that time it was near 1705 when he started to the long water taxi.

The pilot then stated he water taxied for about 20 min and was about a mile from the Tavares FA1 sea base. The aircraft, at an idle water taxi (500-600RPM), surged forward (tipping forward towards the nose). Within a matter of seconds (3-5) the prop hit the water when the pilot shut the engine down. At this time the seaplane was continuing to take on water and the pilot stated he then opened the door and instructed the two passengers to exit the aircraft through the pilot side door. By this time the aircraft was almost at a 90 degree angle with the engine and nose submerged and the tail sticking straight in the air with the cabin taking on water. The male passenger tossed the dog into the water and followed by crawling on the door and into the water. Once he was out with the dog the pilot stated he was able to position himself by sitting on the pilot side door and helped the female passenger get out also crawling on the door which was almost under water at this point (20-30 seconds into it). She was able to enter into the water and tread once she was out with the pilot following close behind. The pilot stated the passengers nor himself were unable to retrieve the life jackets as the airplane was submerging quickly and taking on water. Pilot then stated at the time it seemed unsafe to re-enter the sinking aircraft to retrieve them. Once in the water the individuals initially swam away from the airplane 15-20 feet and by the time they turned around the floats were the only thing visible as the plane was completely upside down. Pilot mentioned from the time taking on water to this stage approximately a minute had passed. Pilot then stated once clear of the airplane two good samaritan boats arrived within 2 minutes.

When asked when the floats are checked for water leaks the pilot mentioned during the morning preflight the aircrafts floats are pumped out to check for water. He mentioned these floats did not have excessive water during the morning pre-flight. Pilot stated this event happened after the 6th flight of the day.

It was discovered these floats had major repairs performed in MAR2017 on each of the nose caps. Inspectors completed a leak check of the floats and found excessive water leaks on the left and right nose caps. These leaks contributed to the aircraft center of gravity to move forward, creating an unsafe condition.