Incident
An airplane was observed to land on a river short of the airport surface at about 1605 EDT, after departing a local island airport. The pilot/owner and a passenger had spent the day installing an air-oil separator kit on the airplane, and both were uncertificated mechanics.
Sequence of Events
After completing the installation, the two individuals departed the airport sometime after 1500 EDT. At approximately 1605, the airplane was seen landing on the river, coming to rest short of the airport runway. Both occupants exited the airplane and began swimming toward shore. The pilot made it to shore, but the passenger experienced difficulties, prompting the pilot to swim back to assist. Subsequently, both occupants submerged in the 48-degree Fahrenheit water.
Their bodies were recovered later. After recovery, the engine was dried out and a test run was performed. Some contamination was found in the pressure carburetor. The engine had a history of stopping on the ground.