BFO94FA134

The purpose of the flight was to give the passenger a sightseeing ride of lake pocumcus. While the flight was just above the surface of the lake, the pilot initiated a 90-degree climb. A witness stated that the airplane gained about 300 feet in altitude and lost '...almost all airspeed.' The witness stated, 'I believe the pilot pushed the nose over because the wings stayed level.' The airplane descended straight down and impacted the water. Numerous witnesses stated they heard the engine running throughout the manuever until impact. Post- accident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies. A photograph taken by a witness on the shore of the lake just prior to impact showed the airplane's elevators in a trailing edge up position. The pilot's blood-alcohol level was 0.075%. FAA regulations prohibits operation of an aircraft above an 0.040% level.

History of flight

On August 12, 1994, at 1830 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-18- 150 on floats, N8588Y, impacted Lake Pocumcus located near Grand Lake Stream, Maine, while maneuvering. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and place of the accident. The local personal flight departed Lake Pocumcus and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the passenger's family, the pilot was giving the passenger a sightseeing ride around the lake. Family members of the passenger and other witnesses stated that the airplane took off and made a steep left turn towards the beach. A witness on the beach stated, "The takeoff run was normal and the plane took off without being pulled off. After a short climb (maybe 200 ft) the plane banked hard left and came down wind, loosing some altitude but gaining lots of speed (full power). In front of the beach the plane went straight up (90 degree climb full power) for maybe 300 ft. loosing almost all airspeed. I believe the pilot pushed the nose over because the wings stayed level. The plane came straight down until impact with water (still under power)."

Witnesses stated the airplane impacted the water and nosed over. The floats remained visible from the lake shore. Rescuers dragged the airplane to the lake shore and uprighted it.

Personnel information

The pilot held a private certificate with single engine land and sea ratings. According to the pilot's log book, he had accumulated a total of 566 flight hours, of which, 332 hours were in a single engine sea airplane. There was no record in the pilot's log book of a biennial flight review.

Wreckage and impact information

The airplane came to rest, intact, upside down in the lake. Rescuers dragged the airplane upside down to the shore and then flipped the airplane over on its floats. The left wing was removed during rescue efforts.

The left and right wing leading edges were crushed aft. The flaps were retracted. Control continuity was verified for all control surfaces and the dual water rudder systems. The control sticks moved freely and moved the connected control surfaces.

Of the seven separate compartments per float, the first two compartments of each float were crushed aft and breached. Water was found in the aft three compartments of each float. A small hole was punctured in the last compartment of each float by a screw in their rudder system.

The engine remained in the mount and was displaced aft.

Post accident examination of the wreckage revealed no airframe or engine anomalies.

Medical and pathological information

The autopsy was performed by Dr. Sweeney at the Chief Medical Examiner's Office located at State House Station 37, Augusta, Maine, 04333.

The toxicology was performed by Dr. Canfield at the Civil Aeromedical Institute located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Negative results were reported for all screened drugs. An ethanol level of 0.075% was found in the blood, 0.096% was found in the vitreous fluid, and 0.110% was found in the urine.

FAA regulations under 14 CFR Part 91.17 states in part that no person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft (a2) While under the influence of alcohol (a4) While having .040 percent by weight or more alcohol.

Additional information

A photograph of the airplane was taken just prior to it impacting the lake. The photograph shows the airplane in a dive almost vertical to the lake. The airplane's elevators are in a trailing edge up position.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not take custody of the airplane.