The pilot reported that he overflew a remote airstrip, which was bounded by a lake on the approach end. He added that he circled back to land, and during final approach he encountered "glassy water and bright sun." Subsequently, the airplane landed short of the runway in the lake and sunk.

The Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector who interviewed the pilot, reported that he stated, the sun and the reflection off the lake gave him the impression that the airplane was higher than it was.

The airplane sunk in more than 500 ft. of water and was not recovered.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.