History of Flight
On September 30, 2012, at approximately 1755 eastern daylight time, a Keuthan Buccaneer II, registration N710WP, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Granite Quarry, North Carolina. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The experimental, amateur-built, amphibious airplane was operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Rowan County Airport (RUQ) in Salisbury, North Carolina, at about 1655.
A witness, who also served as the pilot's flight instructor, observed the pilot refuel the airplane with 5 gallons of automotive gasoline approximately one hour before the accident. Subsequently, other witnesses saw the engine lose power at low altitude. They observed or heard the airplane descend and crash in a rural field about 4 1/2 miles from RUQ.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multiengine land, and airplane single-engine sea. According to his latest airman certificate application dated August 18, 2012, he reported a total flight experience of 500 hours, with 445 hours as pilot-in-command. The pilot's personal logbook was not located after the accident.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a single-engine, high-wing, amphibious aircraft, serial number 1. It was powered by a Rotax 582 DCDI engine rated at 65 horsepower. Airframe and engine logbooks were not recovered. According to the manufacturer's performance charts, fuel consumption ranged from about 2.1 gallons per hour at 3,000 rpm to 6.1 gallons per hour at 6,800 rpm. The aircraft weight and balance data indicated a fuel capacity of about 10 gallons.
Meteorological Information
The 1755 surface weather observation at Rowan County Airport (RUQ) reported clear skies, calm wind, visibility of 10 statute miles or greater, temperature 20°C, dew point 12°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined the wreckage at the accident site, located at the edge of an open field approximately 4 1/2 miles from RUQ, with coordinates 35°37.05'N, 080°26.63'W. Evidence of electrical arcing was observed on the left wing leading edge. Power lines about 20 yards from the main wreckage showed impact damage.
The airframe sustained substantial damage. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the ailerons, elevator, and rudder. The airplane was equipped with a recovery parachute, which showed evidence of partial deployment.
The plastic main fuel tank contained only residual fuel and was not damaged or leaking. Air bubbles were observed in the plastic fuel line from the tank to the engine. No fuel was present in the line to the engine carburetors, preventing a fuel sample from being obtained. There was no evidence of leaking fuel around the wreckage.
The engine propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange, and the blades showed no evidence of rotational damage or tip curling. The engine turned freely by hand, and internal continuity was confirmed.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Chapel Hill. The autopsy report noted the cause of death as "blunt force trauma of the head and chest due to an ultra light plane crash."
Forensic toxicology testing by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory (CAMI) in Oklahoma City indicated no carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, or drugs were detected.