What happened
The aircraft was operating in a rural environment where the pilot was conducting a visual search for stray cattle along the floor of a river bottom. During this phase of flight, the aircraft impacted the terrain. Examination of the crash site indicated that the aircraft struck the ground in a nose-down attitude with the right wing low while traveling at a slow airspeed.
The pilot sustained a serious head injury during the impact and was found by rescue personnel in a semi-conscious state. He was unable to recall specific details of the accident sequence, though he estimated his altitude to be approximately 100 feet above ground level at the time of the event. A passenger aboard the aircraft died from injuries sustained in the crash and was discovered lying outside the right cockpit door.
The investigation
Investigation into the circumstances surrounding the flight revealed significant regulatory compliance issues regarding the pilot's credentials. Records indicated that while the pilot had previously obtained a student pilot certificate many years prior, he had never advanced to obtain a private pilot certificate. Furthermore, his Class III medical certificate had expired at the time of the operation.
Findings
The combination of low-altitude flight in terrain and the lack of current certification contributed to the outcome. The pilot's inability to recall details suggests significant trauma, while the physical evidence confirmed a high-energy impact at slow speed.