Accident Overview
A pilot reported that he was "going to do some airwork" prior to a flight. Approximately 1.2 hours after takeoff, multiple witnesses saw the aircraft flying eastbound at an estimated altitude between 2,000 and 3,500 feet above ground level.
Witness Observations
One witness, who had about 40 hours of aeronautical experience, observed the aircraft with its nose raised, as if the pilot was "practicing takeoff type stalls." All four witnesses noted that the aircraft then entered an extreme nose-up attitude, followed by a pitch-over into a steep descent. During the descent, the aircraft reportedly pitched up and down, with the wings rocking. The left wing then dropped, and the aircraft disappeared from the witnesses' view.
Impact and Wreckage
Shortly thereafter, the aircraft impacted on an elevated mesa area. The wreckage was scattered approximately 438 feet beyond the initial impact point.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the wreckage was conducted, but no preimpact part failure or malfunction was found.