History of Flight
On September 30, 2009, about 1415 central daylight time, a McKenna Avid-Catalina experimental amphibious airplane, registration N1945J, crashed shortly after taking off from Inks Lake in Burnet, Texas. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight was personal, destined for Burnet Municipal Airport-Kate Craddock Field (BMQ), and operated under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
The pilot had departed BMQ around 1030. Witnesses observed the airplane taxiing on the lake during the morning but failing to become airborne. A Texas Parks and Wildlife ranger reported helping the pilot remove the airplane from the water to drain accumulated water, as the pilot could not achieve takeoff. The pilot complained about recently paying to fix leaks. After about 15 minutes of work, the airplane was returned to the water for another takeoff attempt. The pilot told a witness that removing the wings and trailering the airplane would take three hours, so he opted to try again.
Witnesses saw the airplane climb steeply to about 50 feet, then initiate a left turn. The bank increased, and the airplane descended until the left wing struck the water, causing the aircraft to cartwheel and stop inverted and submerged. All witnesses reported the engine running normally until impact.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 61, held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate, issued November 18, 2008, had no limitations. His logbooks were not recovered; he reported 296 total hours on his last medical application.
Aircraft Information
The 2003-model McKenna Avid-Catalina (serial number 170AB) was a high-wing, homebuilt experimental amphibious airplane with retractable main landing gear, configured for three occupants. It was powered by a Rotax R912 engine driving a three-bladed wooden propeller. Maintenance logbooks were not recovered.
Meteorological Information
Weather at Burnet (BMQ) at 1353 was 82°F, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 2,300 feet, wind 180° at 9 knots gusting to 16 knots. Density altitude was 3,317 feet.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Examination revealed the cockpit mostly separated from the fuselage. Both wings had spar damage; portions of the left wing were missing. Two of the three propeller blades were broken. Due to impact damage, inspectors could not determine pre-existing conditions that might have caused water leakage into the airplane.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot's body was recovered on October 3, 2009. An autopsy on October 4 attributed the cause of death to drowning. Toxicological testing by the FAA was negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, and drugs. Ethanol, N-Butanol, and N-Propanol were detected in all samples; putrefaction was noted.
Additional Information
Email correspondence between the pilot and the previous owner indicated that the airplane developed hull leaks after purchase, particularly around the main axle. In an email dated August 10, 2009, the pilot described water ingress during taxi and takeoff attempts, noting a pressurized stream entering the glove boxes and a large hole around the main axle.