WPR15LA092

A witness located near the accident site reported observing an airplane "spinning out of control" as it descended toward the water and breaking apart as it descended out of sight behind a stand of trees. Some wreckage debris consistent with the accident airplane was found floating on the water's surface; however, the majority of the wreckage was not located. Review of recorded radar data showed the airplane departing and then climbing to cruise altitude. The data then showed the airplane descend and climb twice. The last recorded radar target was located at 7,000 ft about 1 mile southwest of the recovered debris. The reason for the loss of control could not be determined because of the limited amount of wreckage that was recovered.

The two-seat, low-wing, fixed-gear tailwheel equipped experimental amateur built airplane, serial number (S/N) 70263, was completed in 2013. It was powered by an Aerosport IO-360-B1CD2 engine and was equipped with a Hartzell HC-C2YR-1BFP variable pitch propeller. Review of the airframe logbook records revealed that the most recent conditional inspection was completed on May 8, 2014, at an airframe total time of 62.3 hours. On January 26, 2015, about 1250 Pacific standard time, an amateur built experimental Alexander RV7 airplane, N747BA, impacted the water of the Hood Canal near Seabeck, Washington. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airline transport rated pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, is missing and is presumed to be fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The local flight originated from the Tacoma Narrows Airport (TIW), Gig Harbor, Washington, at 1236. Witnesses located near the accident site reported observing an airplane "spinning out of control" as it descended towards the water. One witness stated that the airplane broke apart as it descended out of their sight behind a stand of trees. Local law enforcement reported that wreckage debris consistent with the accident airplane was located floating on the water surface and was recovered by the United States Coast Guard. The debris recovered included a portion of the engine cowling, seat cushions, and interior panels of the airplane. At the time of this report, the main wreckage has not been located. The reported water depths in the vicinity of the accident site range between 500 to 600 feet. Review of radar data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed a primary target, consistent with the accident airplane, originated from TIW, and traveled in a northwesterly heading for about 7 minutes, while ascending to 5,900 feet mean sea level (msl). The radar data depicted a right turn to a north-northwesterly heading, while continuing an ascent to 6,700 feet msl, about 1 minute later. The data further depicted a descent to 5,700 feet msl, 13 seconds later, with an increase in ground speed from 167 knots to 198 knots. The data depicted a climb to 6,500 feet msl, spanning 37 seconds, before a descent to 4,500 feet was observed 9 seconds later. The data further showed a right turn to a northerly heading along with a climb to 7,000 feet msl, in a span of about 2 minutes. The last recorded radar target was located about 1 mile southwest of the recovered debris, at an altitude of 7,000 feet msl. A review of recorded data from the Bremerton National Airport (PWT) automated weather observation station, located about 11 miles southeast of the accident site, revealed at 1155, conditions were wind from 180 at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear sky, temperature 12 degrees Celsius, dew point 10 degrees Celsius,and an altimeter setting of 29.96 inches of mercury. The pilot, age 65, held an airline transport pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land, and airplane multi-engine land ratings. A third-class airman medical certificate was issued to the pilot on February 12, 2013, with the limitation stated "Must Wear Corrective Lenses & Possess Glasses for Near & Intermediate Vision." Review of the pilot's personal logbook revealed that he had accumulated a total flight time of 16,126.7 hours as of the most recent entry, dated January 20, 2015. The pilot had logged 96.9 hours in the accident make/model airplane, of which 5.7 hours were in the previous 90 days, and 3 hours in the previous 30 days before the day of the accident.