Amateur-built SEAWIND N46EB accident near Buena Vista, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power, which resulted in a hard landing and nose over. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined due to the severity of the postimpact fire damage.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot was making a personal flight in the experimental amateur-built airplane. A witness at the destination airport reported hearing the pilot declare a "mayday" on the airport's common traffic advisory frequency, but the pilot did not state the nature of the emergency. Witnesses near the accident site reported hearing the airplane's engine running extremely rough and seeing the airplane's wings rocking back and forth. The accident site was in an open, flat field with sparse vegetation and ample area in which to make a forced landing. Examination of the wreckage indicated that the airplane impacted the ground and nosed over, and a fire then erupted which consumed most of the airplane. Fire damage precluded a complete examination of the airframe, engine, and systems; however, the examinations that were performed did not reveal any preimpact anomalies. Based on the available evidence, it is likely that the airplane's engine lost partial power for a reason that could not be determined due to the extent of the fire damage, and the pilot did not maintain control of the airplane during the ensuing forced landing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN16FA241 for the full record.