Accident Details
On August 11, 2013, at approximately 1800 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Rans S-12, registration N557BB, was substantially damaged during a forced water landing near Vienna, Maryland. The student pilot, who was flying the airplane, and the pilot-rated passenger/owner were not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a local personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a private airport near Vienna, Maryland, around 1750.
According to the student pilot's statement, after an uneventful preflight and departure, the two individuals made two passes around an island to demonstrate the airplane to family members on the ground. After completing the second pass, at about 100 feet above ground level, the student pilot banked to the right, applied engine power, and increased the airplane's pitch attitude, but reported that "something didn't feel right." He responded by applying more power, but the airplane began to descend. He turned the airplane's nose into the wind, applied full power, and continued to increase the pitch attitude, but the airplane "could not gain altitude." Continuing the right bank, he then reduced engine power to idle, and the airplane subsequently impacted the water.
Both the student pilot and eyewitnesses reported that the engine appeared to be functioning "normally." A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the structural tubing beneath the fuselage. However, no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation before the accident.
Weather Conditions
Weather reported at Cambridge-Dorchester Airport (CGE), Cambridge, Maryland, about 13.6 nautical miles north of the accident site, at 2259 included: wind from 130 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 6,000 feet, temperature 27 degrees Celsius, dewpoint 19 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.03 inches of mercury.
Aircraft Information
According to operator records, the airplane was manufactured in 2007 and had accumulated 1,435.3 total aircraft hours. The maintenance logbooks were lost in the accident, and the most recent inspection date could not be determined.
Pilot Information
The student pilot held an FAA student pilot certificate. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on August 21, 2006. He reported 70 total hours of flight experience, with 7 hours in the accident airplane make and model.
The passenger/owner held an FAA private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on July 9, 1995, at which time he reported 50 hours of flight experience.
No probable cause was determined by the investigation; the examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions.