What happened
A pilot and his passenger departed from Weeping Water, Nebraska, on a local flight. During the flight, several witnesses observed the aircraft flying at a low altitude and slow speed over the Platte River. One witness near Ashland, Nebraska, reported that the aircraft was flying so low that the pilot began a climb to clear a bridge. Witnesses last observed the aircraft traveling upstream along the meandering river at a low altitude.
The aircraft subsequently crashed into 3 to 4 feet of water, approximately 30 yards from the shoreline. The impact occurred in a steep nose-down attitude while heading downstream. The nose of the aircraft sustained the primary force of the impact, with additional damage found on the forward cockpit, wings, wing struts, and landing gear. The empennage and aft fuselage remained undamaged.
The investigation
Investigators found no evidence of pre-impact part failure or mechanical malfunction of the aircraft. However, toxicology results for the pilot revealed a urine alcohol level of 0.108% and a blood alcohol level of 0.058%.