Beware of the Boat Wakes

[pelmet]

Hit the boat waves on my last landing the other day. Floated(as in remaining airborne for a while) in the flare and then got rocked side to side. Perhaps pilots get used to it working out OK. Or maybe some aircraft are more vulnerable than others(any thoughts on that?). It may be best to go around or wait for takeoff.....

"C-GFKT, a privately registered LA-4-200 was conducting a water takeoff from Georgian Bay, to the
east of Giant's Tomb Island, ON (14NM north northwest of Huronia (CYEE), ON). During the
takeoff run, the aircraft encountered a boat's wake, causing it to become momentarily airborne.
The right wing dropped and the right wingtip float contacted the water and became detached from
the aircraft. The resulting yaw to the left caused the left wingtip float to contact the water forcefully.
The takeoff was abandoned and the pilot taxied the aircraft to shore. The pilot, who was the sole
occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. A witness contacted the police, who responded along with
a Canadian Coast Guard vessel. There was significant damage to the right hand flap, which
exhibited a bend about halfway along the wingspan, and there was evidence of buckling to
fuselage structure below the right wing attach point. The aircraft will be brought to a maintenance
facility to further assess the damage. The ELT did not activate.

[digits_]

Dammit, stop crashing Lake Buccaneers so others can still get insurance for them!