Seaplanes?

Jose wrote:
The accident rate for dual is not bad, it is when pilots go into the
wild and have trouble on unmarked waterways, wilderness rivers and
lakes that the accident rates go up.


What are the typical kinds of accidents and incidents that seaplanes get
into?

Jose
My instructor was adamant about flying the glassy-water approach and not
looking down. Everytime we heard about a seaplane accident he'd say
something like, "See. That's what happens if you don't use the
glass-water technique."

There are lots of things seaplanes are vulnerable to. Hitting a wave
and catching a float tip. Clipping a tree top trying to get out of a
small pond somewhere. And then there are always problems with the
idiots that try to race the plane during high speed taxi or worse, play
"chicken" with it.

Also if you flip a seaplane, all the electronics will be ruined. That
adds to the price of your insurance.

Then there is the corrosion problem if somebody takes the plane to salt
water, even if he does wash it off.

There is another class of accident where you fail to pick up a mooring
and drift down the river and over the dam (damn!?). It helps to have
some sailboat experience in this case. And if you are flying it from
the right seat solo, you might fall out off the float.

And if you don't "rake" a new landing area before landing, you can hit a
rock and puncture a float.

Bottom line: Seaplanes insurance should be more expensive!