ATL02LA092

Witnesses observed the airplane flying overhead between 150 to 200 feet. The airplane was observed to make a hard right turn estimated at more than a 45-degree right bank into a strong wind. The right wing dropped, the nose pitched down, and the airplane started spinning to the right before it collided with the water. Review of operating specifications for the experimental homebuilt Buccaneer amphibian airplane indicated that the stall speed is 25 mph. Due to the extent of damage to the airplane, the FAA inspector was unable to conduct an airframe, flight control, and engine assembly examination.

On April 27, 2002, at 1615 eastern daylight time, a Hartman Buccaneer 2 experimental airplane, N8127W, registered to a private owner, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed into Estero Bay, Estero, Florida, while maneuvering. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight departed from an unknown location at an unknown time.

Witnesses stated they were on their boat in Estero Bay. An airplane was observed flying overhead between 150 to 200 feet. The airplane was observed to make a hard right turn estimated at more than a 45-degree right bank into a strong wind. The right wing dropped, the nose pitched down, and the airplane started spinning to the right before it collided with the bay. Boaters went over to assist and the pilot and a dog were removed from the wreckage.

Review of specifications for the Buccaneer amphibian airplane revealed the stall speed is 25 mph.

Due to the extent of damage to the airplane, the FAA inspector who traveled to the site was unable to conduct an airframe, flight control, and engine assembly examination. The hour meter found in the wreckage read 43.6 hours.

According to the parents of the pilot, they were unable to locate the aircraft records or the pilot's logbook. The airplane wreckage was recovered by Sea Tow Towing, Cape Coral, Florida, and was sold as scrap.

The nearest weather reporting facility at the time of the accident was Fort Myers, Florida. The 1553 surface weather observation was: 6,500 scattered, visibility 10 miles, temperature 90 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point temperature 61 degrees Fahrenheit, wind 140-degrees at 10 knots, and altimeter 30.10.

The Associate Medical Examiner, District 21, Fort Myers, Florida, conducted postmortem examination of the pilot on April 29, 2002. The cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma. Postmortem toxicology of specimens from the pilot was performed by the Forensic Toxicology Research Section, Federal Aviation Administration, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The results were negative for carbon monoxide, cyanide, ethanol, basic, acidic, and neutral drugs.