Accident Overview
On the day of the accident, multiple witnesses reported seeing the aircraft circling at a low altitude prior to the crash. According to a friend of the pilot, the pilot waved, gunned his engine a couple of times, and waggled his tail. Witnesses stated that after making several circles at an altitude between 100 and 200 feet, the aircraft suddenly pitched down and crashed into a wooded area.
Witness Accounts
Several observers described the aircraft's maneuvers in the moments leading up to the accident. The aircraft was seen circling at low altitude, with the pilot performing gestures and engine throttle adjustments. One witness, a friend of the pilot, reported that the pilot waved and gunned the engine multiple times, accompanied by a waggle of the tail. These actions were noted before the aircraft entered its final descent.
Pilot Actions and Ejection
Following the sudden pitch-down, the pilot was ejected from the aircraft. The pilot subsequently struck a tree and received fatal injuries. Post-accident examination revealed that the pilot's seat belt was found unlatched, indicating it was not fastened at the time of the crash.
Post-Crash Findings
The aircraft came to rest in a wooded area. Investigators documented that the seat belt was unfastened, which corresponds with the pilot's ejection during the impact sequence. No further details about the aircraft or the investigation were provided in the source material.