On 11/17/09  the operator of vessel 1 was leaving a duck blind in Bundicks Lake with  Passenger 1.  Operator 1 was operating a 15' flat with a 35 hp hand tiller motor.  Both subjects said they were wearing their personal flotation devices.  The motor is not equipped with a safety cutoff lanyard.  Operator 1 explained that he was maneuvering through an area of the lake that he had been through many times, when the motor hit a submerged object possibly a stump.  Operator 1 said that the vessel was just about on step because he had just taken off and that the motor should have been in the unlocked position, but could not remember if it was.  When Agent inspected the vessel, the motor was in the unlocked position.  After the base of the motor hit the submerged object, the motor flipped up and became detached from the transom of the vessel.  Both Operator 1 and Passenger 1 said that the motor then landed on Operator 1.  The propeller landed on Operator 1's knee causing a one inch laceration and a considerable amount of swelling.  some part of the motor hit Operator 1 on top of the head causing a two inch laceration and a considerable amount of swelling.  Passenger 1 then explained that he was able to flag down another vessel which towed them back to shore, where Operator 1 was driven to the hospital.  Passenger 1 explained that Operator 1 never lost consciousness but was very disoriented.  No Alcohol was suspected to be involved.
DeRidder                      