Incident
A pilot reported that as the aircraft was approximately 10 feet above ground level (AGL) and beginning to flare for a landing on Runway 24, a slight gust of wind caused the plane to drift toward the edge of the runway. The pilot began correcting for the drift, but the passenger grabbed the yoke and placed his feet firmly on the rudder pedals. According to the pilot, the passenger "froze on the controls."
Sequence of Events
The pilot directed the passenger to release the controls and struck him twice in the chest. As the aircraft continued to veer off course, the passenger released the controls. However, by that time, the aircraft was headed toward parked aircraft. The pilot reported that there was insufficient time and distance available to correct the situation. The aircraft subsequently crashed into a Cessna 182K (N2584F), a Cessna 152 (N24384), and a Cessna 150 (N63206).
Passenger's Recollection
The passenger did not remember grabbing the aircraft controls.