NTSB Factual Report

On July 9, 2006, at 1730 central daylight time, a float equipped Cessna R172K, N736VM, collided with the water and came to rest inverted while turning back to land on the lake that he just departed from in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The airplane was departing at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported he had trouble gaining altitude during the takeoff and that the surrounding terrain and trees were high. He decided to make a turn and land back on the lake. The pilot reported the wind kept raising the right wing during the turn. He stated that when he was about 20 feet above the water he pulled off the power too soon and the wind pushed the right wing down. The right float contacted the water first. The airplane then bounced and touched down again in a yaw attitude. The pilot reported the aluminum float attachment brackets on the right float broke and the airplane fell to the right resulting in wing damage.

The pilot reported the local winds were from 210 degrees at 23 knots, gusting to 26 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty tailwind that prevailed.