Incident Overview
On March 13, 2012, at approximately 1426 central daylight time, N627RM, an experimental Ron Brice Glastar Sportsman 2+ equipped with amphibian floats, was substantially damaged during landing on Tablerock Lake near Kimberling, Missouri. The airline transport pilot, who was also the operator, was fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to a private company. The flight departed Kimberling Airport (M064) at approximately 1415 without a flight plan, conducted under visual meteorological conditions for a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91.
Witness Observations
Several witnesses observed the approach. One witness, crossing the Kimberling City bridge, saw the airplane heading west to east at about 200 feet above the water, making a gradual descent as if to land. The witness noted that the airplane did not level off before touchdown, resulting in a large splash. A second witness on a boat saw the airplane flying east toward the bridge, flying low enough to nearly hit the bridge. She described the landing as abnormal, with the plane hitting the water and flipping, obscuring further movement. A third witness saw the airplane flying eastbound toward the bridge under power with no sign of engine trouble, gaining altitude to clear the bridge before descending. He heard the engine throttle back as if to land.
Examination and Damage
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the aircraft after recovery from the lake. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. Additional damage included the propeller, the tip of the vertical stabilizer, and the forward section of the left float. The landing gear extension handle was found in the retracted position, and the flaps were extended. Flight control continuity was established for all major flight controls.
Pilot Information
The pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate and a flight engineer certificate, with ratings for rotorcraft-helicopter, airplane single- and multi-engine land and sea, and instrument airplane. He was also a certified flight instructor for airplane single- and multi-engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA third-class medical was issued on April 2, 2010. According to FAA records, he had accrued 25,757 total flight hours.
Toxicology and Autopsy
Toxicology testing by the FAA Toxicology Accident Research Laboratory detected methanol in the blood (546 mg/dL), vitreous fluid (157 mg/dL), and spinal fluid (96 mg/dL). The positive methanol findings were attributed to embalming performed after the accident. An autopsy conducted by Southwest Missouri Forensics determined the pilot died from asphyxiation due to drowning.
Weather Conditions
Weather reported at Branson Airport (BBG), approximately 13 miles east of the accident site, at 1445 included wind from 180 degrees at 9 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 27°C, dewpoint 5°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.05 inHg.