NTSB Factual Report

On May 24, 2007, approximately 1530 central daylight time, a single-engine Cessna U206G floatplane, N45WT, collided with an 18-foot powerboat while attempting a water take-off from the Bayou Fourchon Seaplane Base, near Leeville, Louisiana. The floatplane sustained substantial damage and was partly submerged. The commercial pilot and two passengers in the floatplane were not injured. The floatplane was owned and operated by Chevron USA., of Picayune, Mississippi. The sole occupant of the boat was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 45-nautical mile cross-country flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administrator (FAA) Inspector, who responded to the accident site, reported that the Cessna floatplane was departing to the south, when a powerboat entered the waterway from an intersecting canal and crossed ahead of the floatplane's take-off path and then executed a U-turn in front of the aircraft. The floatplane impacted the boat causing the floatplane to nose-over further damaging the airplane as it impacted the water.

The Cessna floatplane came to rest in 15 to 20 feet of water. Once the floatplane was recovered, the examination revealed structural damage to the right float and wing tip structure. The right side portion of the right flap, the right rear door, and fuselage structure in the area of the right rear door were also damaged during the accident sequence.

The pilot of the floatplane reported that he observed a small boat approaching his departure path at a high rate of speed. The pilot stated that the boat appeared to be crossing his path from east-to-west when for unknown reasons, the boat made a U-turn towards the floatplane. The pilot stated that he elected to take-off in order to avoid impacting the boat with the propeller and fuselage of the floatplane. The pilot added that the floatplane was doing approximately 65 knots and was approximately 4-feet above the water when the right amphibian float struck the boat.

A witness, who was standing on the shore, observed the floatplane preparing for takeoff and noted that the floatplane was clear of traffic before the pilot initiated the take-off. The witness stated that the floatplane began its departure when a small boat crossed in front of the airplane's departure path, the small boat made an effort to turn and avoid the plane but it was too late to avoid the collision.

A floatplane passenger, who was in the right front seat, stated that they were very close to take-off speed when he saw the boat approaching at a high rate of speed from the canal. The passenger pointed out the boat to ensure that the pilot saw it. The pilot then noted that he was aware of the boat and attempted to lift-off when the boat turned into the floatplane. The passenger stated that he lost sight of the boat as the boat passed below the floatplane.

The rear seat passenger of the floatplane stated that things appeared to be normal when he heard a statement from the front passenger "do you have the boat?" Then he heard the pilot say "He's turning into us!" The passenger stated that they were just out of the water when the floatplane impacted the boat.

The pilot, who was occupying the left front seat, held an airline transport pilot certificate for single-engine land, single-engine sea, multiengine land, multiengine sea, helicopter, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate for airplane single-engine, airplane multi-engine, and instrument airplane. The pilot's most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on January 02, 2007, and the last flight review was given on February 20, 2007. The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 12,911 hours of total flight time, with 4,550 hours in the same make and model aircraft.

The airplane was a 1977 Cessna U206G on amphibian floats. The pilot stated on the accident report (NTSB Form 6120.1), that the last annual/100 hour inspection was performed on May 23, 2007. The total time on the airframe, at the time of accident, was 8,606.2 hours. The airplane was powered by a fuel injected 300-horsepower Continental reciprocating engine.

Bayou Fourchon Seaplane Base (1LA4) is a private-use seaplane runway, located 8 miles north of Leeville, Louisiana, and has one water runway. Runway 6W/24W is 5,000 feet long and 75 feet wide and does not have a control tower, nor a local area common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF).

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the operator of the powerboat to maintain separation from the departing floatplane.