19991205035829A

(.19) On December 5, 1999, about 1600 hours pacific standard time, a corbin/king osprey 2, N192DC, was destroyed when it collided with otay lake near Chula Vista, California. The commercial pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR part 91 and sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight departed ramona, California, about 1430. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. A retired federal aviation administration (FAA) inspector stated the pilot flew from brown field near Chula Vista to visit him at ramona and show him the recently purchased airplane. Family members stated the airplane was purchased in July 1999. The pilot appeared in good health and spirits. The inspector looked at the airplane prior to departure and did not notice anything unusual. He said the engine sounded good and was running strong when it left. Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise and then the engine sounds ceasing. The airplane was observed in a tight spiral and pieces were observed floating in trail. (-23) the amphibious amateur aircraft departed brown field, san diego and was observed to crash inot lower otay lake. The a/c was destroyed and the lone occupant was fatally injured. Witnesses stated that the aircraft may have broken up in flight. (.4) on December 5, 1999, about 1600 hours pacific standard time, a corbin/king osprey 2, N192DC, was destroyed when it collided with lower otay lake reservoir near Chula Vista, California. The commercial pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR part 91, and sustained fatal injuries. The personal flight departed its home base at brown field in san diego, California, at 1537 on a local personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. A retired federal aviation administration (FAA) inspector stated the pilot flew from brown field near Chula Vista to visit him at ramona, California, and show him the recently purchased airplane. The pilot appeared in good health and spirits. The inspector looked at the airplane prior to departure and did not notice anything unusual. He said the engine sounded good and was running strong when it taxied away from his hangar about 1430. An acquaintance told a coroner's investigator that he observed the pilot working in his hangar most of the day. They went flying in the acquaintance's airplane in the early afternoon. He said the pilot appeared to be in good spirits and expressed no complaints. The FAA accident coordinator interviewed several witnesses. They reported hearing a loud noise, and then observed the airplane in a tight spiral with pieces floating in trail. The engine sound changed from a loud to a softer tone as the airplane rotated. Sheriff deputies located the wreckage in lower otay lake reservoir. Some wreckage was floating, and some was at a depth of 45 feet down on the floor of the reservoir. Both wings and the fuselage/tail assembly were floating.