Accident Sequence
During arrival, the aircraft entered a downwind leg for a right traffic pattern to runway 24. At that time, a witness who is a well-qualified pilot observed the wind from the northeast at about 8 knots. Another pilot-witness reported the wind from the northeast at about 10 knots or more. At an official weather observation facility about 7 miles southeast, the wind was recorded from 320 degrees at 8 knots.
As the aircraft continued on the downwind leg, it was reported to have angled toward the runway at a lower-than-normal altitude and with slow airspeed. The aircraft was then observed in a descending turn toward the runway, during which it entered a spin and crashed.
Examination
An examination at the crash site found no preimpact abnormalities with the aircraft.