FTW02LA156

The pilot of the amphibian airplane reported that as he touched down on the water, "a gust of wind caught the right wing and lifted it very quickly." The left wing sponson (float) then "caught the water," and the airplane "pulled" around resulting in damage to the engine support, wings, and fuselage.

On May 19, 2002, approximately 1230 central daylight time, a Lake LA4-200 amphibious airplane, N1298L, registered to and operated by a private individual, was substantially damaged during a water landing on Lake Palestine, near Frankston, Texas. The instrument rated commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Aero Estates private airstrip near Frankston, Texas, at 1200.

The commercial pilot reported that he was considering buying the aircraft, and the purpose of the flight was to evaluate the airplane. The pilot added that after a 30-minute flight in the local area he elected to perform a water landing on Lake Palestine. While landing to the east, as the airplane touched down on the water, "a gust of wind caught the right wing and lifted it very quickly." The left wing sponson (float) then "caught the water" and the airplane "pulled" around resulting in damage to the engine support, wings, and fuselage.

The pilot estimated that the winds at the time of the accident were from the east at 08 knots.

In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that he had accumulated over 1,100 flight hours in seaplanes and he had been a seaplane flight instructor for over 12 years. He further reported that "no action could have been taken to avoid this problem except not being there at that time."

Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that the left float was separated from the wing and the left side of the fuselage was buckled.