History of Flight
On June 6, 2009, at approximately 1744 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Smith Searey seaplane, registration N169GW, was substantially damaged after impacting Melton Lake near Knoxville, Tennessee. The certificated private pilot and a passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot was providing rides to attendees of a celebration on Melton Lake. After an uneventful flight with another passenger, the pilot returned, landed, and the accident passenger boarded. The final moments were captured on video by pleasure boaters, showing the airplane flying about 200 to 400 feet above a boat before moving away, entering a steep bank, descending steeply, and impacting the water.
Personnel Information
FAA records indicated the pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea. The pilot's most recent third-class medical certificate was issued on February 4, 2009, and reported 450 total hours of flight experience.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a dual-seat, single-engine, amateur-built amphibious seaplane. According to FAA records, it was built and owned by the pilot and completed in 2001. No maintenance records were recovered. The kit manufacturer stated that with a 100-horsepower engine and two occupants, the stall speed in level flight was 40 mph.
Meteorological Information
The 1753 weather observation at McGhee Tyson Airport, 15 nautical miles southeast of the accident site, reported wind from 010 degrees at 3 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, few clouds at 4,800 feet, temperature 26°C, dewpoint 14°C, and altimeter 29.96 inHg.
Wreckage and Impact Information
After recovery from Melton Lake, the wreckage was examined by an FAA inspector. Flight control continuity was traced from all surfaces to the cockpit controls; no airframe anomalies were noted. The engine was drained of water, examined, and test run, producing power with no mechanical anomalies.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy at the University of Tennessee Medical Center listed the cause of death as "blunt force injuries of torso." FAA toxicology tests on the pilot were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and ethanol; ibuprofen and naproxen were detected in urine.