20150530008709A

N1653U descended through a stand of trees on a heading of approximately north, leaving a ground scar at the edge of the river. The engine was found approximately halfway across the river, submerged, with the propeller attached. The aircraft fuselage was found on the opposite side of the river, submerged and wedged by the current against the vegetation of the FAR side of the river.

The aircraft may have initially impacted the trees right wing-low, as the right wingtip was one of the first pieces of debris found along the flight path. It appeared the left wing was compromised or sheared off during the descent through the trees. Part of the left wing spar was found in the vegetation to the left of the flight path. The tallest trees impacted appeared to be about 25-30 feet tall. The left wing was not visible and may have been separated from the main wreckage. The left wing may have been located downstream of the wreckage, but the debris could not be reached to confirm. All other major structures were accounted for. The right wing strut had separated from the fuselage at the lower attachment, but was still connected to the wing. The right wing showed signs of impacting vegetation. Trees along the flight path were significant/thick enough to shear major structures from the aircraft. No clean/smooth cuts were observed in the vegetation.

After impact with the trees, it appeared the fuselage dropped at a steep rate of descent, creating the ground scar at the water's edge.

The aircraft may have impacted the ground inverted or rolled significantly to the left. There was little damage on the underside of the nose cowling and the right main tire appeared inflated. The top of the nose cowling was found in the river just past the initial ground-impact point.

The engine was separated from the engine mounts and was located approximately halfway across the river. One propeller blade was visible, the last inch or two of the blade were missing, but the blade appeared to be generally straight.

After initial impact, the aircraft may have tumbled. The rear fuselage was collapsed and not aligned with the forward fuselage.

The instrument panel was collapsed inward and appeared to pin the pilot in the aircraft. The shoulder harness was visible, securing the pilot's upper torso. The seat harness was not visible, but likely secured correctly based on the position of the pilot. The pilot's right hand was visible at one point during the recovery attempt and was clenched tightly with the first two fingers slightly more extended, as one may hold an aircraft throttle.

Recovery personnel attempted to cut the pilot out of the wreckage, but were not successful during the initial wreckage examination. The wreckage was significantly damaged during recovery efforts and the river current. The engine was not recovered during the initial wreckage examination and recovery effort.

The purpose of the flight was engine break-in. Flight path data from ADS-B indicated the pilot was flying significantly between 100-200' AGL during much of the flight with significant periods at lower altitudes.

Due to the extreme difficulty in recovering the wreckage and pilot, further analysis will be made of the recovered wreckage. This report will be updated if further analysis makes additional or different determinations.

No mechanical anomalies were found with the aircraft during the initial wreckage examination. The apparent cause of the accident is the pilot's failure to avoid terrain and obstructions while flying low to the ground.