NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On July 4, 2016, about 1128 mountain daylight time, an amateur-built Seawind airplane, N46EB, was destroyed by impact forces and a postimpact fire, during a forced landing near Buena Vista, Colorado. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to Boeve Enterprises, Inc., and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Lake County Airport (LXV), Leadville, Colorado, at an unconfirmed time, and was destined for the Central Colorado Regional Airport (AEJ), Buena Vista, Colorado, when the accident occurred.

It was reported that the pilot flew the accident airplane from AEJ to LXV earlier in the day, and was on the return flight to AEJ when the accident occurred. The airplane owner, who witnessed the takeoff from LXV for the return flight to AEJ, reported no problems with the airplane's takeoff roll and initial climb.

A witness at AEJ reported that she heard the pilot declare a "mayday" on the airport common traffic advisory frequency, and that he was straight in for runway 15. The witness reported that the pilot did not state the nature of the emergency during the radio transmission.

Witnesses near the accident site reported hearing the engine running extremely rough as if it was running on only three cylinders and the wings were rocking back and forth. One witness reported seeing the airplane about 200 to 300 ft. agl, descending rapidly. The airplane made a steep left turn and witness noted that the landing gear was extended. The witness lost sight of the airplane prior to its impact with the ground.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine and airplane multiengine land ratings. He also held a second class medical certificate issued on September 4, 2015. The medical listed the following limitation: Must wear corrective lenses.

The pilot's flight logbook was not recovered during the investigation, however, the pilot reported having 2,000 total flight hours and 35 hours in the six months preceding his most recent medical examination.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The accident airplane was a composite, four-seat, amphibian airplane that featured a single tail-mounted engine. The airplane was produced as a kit that was assembled by an individual. The airplane had retractable tricycle landing gear and was powered by a six-cylinder Lycoming model IO-540-K1G5D engine rated to produce 300 horsepower.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

At 1115, the recorded weather conditions at AEJ were: wind 140 degrees at 8 knots, clear sky, temperature 22 degrees Celsius, dew point 3 degrees Celsius, altimeter setting 30.35 inches of mercury.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

The accident site was located about 4 miles and 330 degrees from AEJ. The accident site was an open, flat field with sparse vegetation and ample area in which to make a forced landing. The initial impact point was located about 15 feet south of the main wreckage and contained the airplane's nose landing gear. The airplane came to rest in an inverted position. Based on the position of the airplane and the impact point, the airplane was heading in a northerly direction at the time of the impact. The entire airplane was almost completely consumed by the postimpact fire that ensued. Remnants of all of the major airplane components and control surfaces were located in the immediate vicinity of the main wreckage. The control system of the airplane consisted mainly of cable controls which were traced from the cockpit control to each respective control surface. All of the cables and end attachments remained intact except for one aileron cable turnbuckle. The fractured turnbuckle exhibited signatures consistent with overload failure due to impact forces. The elevator control had a bellcrank and pushrod that was mounted in the vertical tail that actuated the elevator. The pushrod was intact; however, the composite bellcrank was mostly consumed by fire. The engine control push-pull cables were traced from the cockpit to the engine. The throttle and mixture cables remained intact and attached to the throttle arm, and mixture arm of the fuel control unit. The fuel control unit itself was consumed by fire and only the steel components remained intact. The propeller control cable was intact from the cockpit to the propeller governor. No anomalies could be found with respect to the airframe, flight control system, or engine control system; however, the extent of the fire damage precluded a complete examination and testing of components.

The engine of the airplane was examined on-site. It was still attached to the steel tube engine mount structure. The oil sump, and rear accessory case portions of the crankcase were consumed by fire. The accessory gears remained in position and no anomalies were noted. The remnants of the dual magneto were still in-place on the rear of the engine; however, the aluminum components of the magneto had been consumed by fire. The fuel control servo had been almost completely consumed by fire with only the steel components remaining. The upper spark plugs were removed and examined. The right side spark plugs were covered by oil due to the resting position of the engine. The oil was allowed to drain from the plugs and the combustion deposits that remained indicated a normal burn signature. The left side plugs were dry and also exhibited normal combustion deposits. The valve covers were removed and the right side cylinders contained oil, indicating that oil was present in the engine prior to impact. No anomalies were noted with respect to the valves or valve rocker arms. No anomalies could be found with respect to the engine or engine accessories; however, the extent of the fire damage precluded a complete examination and testing of components.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy of the pilot was performed by the El Paso County Coroner's Office, Colorado Springs, Colorado, on July 5, 2016. The autopsy report listed the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the accident.

Toxicology testing was performed by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute. Testing results were negative for all substances in the screening profile.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power, which resulted in a hard landing and nose over. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined due to the severity of the postimpact fire damage.