SEA98LA026

The pilot reported that prior to executing an approach for landing she looked at the water surface and saw mild ripples and determined that it was not glassy water. She set up a flatter approach than normal. As the airplane neared the water surface, the haze grew thicker. The pilot stated that she wondered if she should have set up for a glassy water landing, when the airplane hit the water surface. The aircraft careened to the right, then cartwheeled to the left. The left wing contacted the water surface, and the airplane came to rest right-side up. The pilot had just taken the single-engine sea checkride about two weeks prior to the accident, and this was her first solo flight.

On December 24, 1997, at 1530 Pacific standard time, a float equipped Cessna 172P, N9566L, operated by Kenmore Air Harbor as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the water during landing on calm water near Kenmore, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant received minor injuries. The flight had departed from Kenmore, about one hour and 15 minutes prior to the accident.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that this was her first solo flight after taking the single-engine sea check-ride on December 5, 1997. The pilot reported that she was practicing normal take-off and landings around the lake. While returning to Kenmore Air Harbor, the wind was light and visibility was hazy. The pilot stated that at Holmes Point, and about 500 feet above water level, she looked down at the water surface and saw "mild ripples." The pilot stated that she determined that it was not glassy water conditions, and proceeded with an approach for landing. The pilot stated that she chose a flatter approach than normal, and as she neared the water surface, the haze grew thicker. The pilot stated that she wondered if she should have executed a "glassy water" approach, when the aircraft hit the water surface. The aircraft "careened" to the right, then cartwheeled to the left. The left wing contacted the water surface, and the airplane came to rest right-side up.

The pilot reported a total flight time of 380 hours in all aircraft, with 17 hours in single-engine sea aircraft. Approximately one hour had been logged as pilot-in-command of a seaplane.