What happened
The aircraft was observed on the day of the flight, as well as during the preceding couple of days, operating at an unusually low altitude. Witnesses on the ground reported that the plane was flying very slowly, maintaining an altitude consistent with tree-top level. Although ground witnesses heard the sounds associated with the crash, they were unable to visually observe the aircraft at the moment of impact.
The aircraft subsequently struck the ground in a near-vertical attitude. At the time of the accident, the engine was operating under low power settings. The magneto switch had been selected to the right magneto position.
The investigation
Examination of the engine components revealed significant mechanical anomalies. Both magnetos were found to contain oil, indicating a potential sealing failure or contamination issue. Additionally, two high-tension terminals within the left magneto were broken. These findings suggest that the electrical system may have been compromised despite the switch being set to the right magneto.
Findings
The combination of low-power operation and the presence of oil in both magnetos, along with the broken terminals in the left magneto, points to a failure in the ignition system. The aircraft's flight path at tree-top level left little margin for error or recovery.