Incident Description
On approach to the airport, N80426 was observed by witnesses to be left of the final approach course for runway 14, heading toward the airport for landing. The accident site is located half a mile north-northwest of the approach end of runway 14.
Witness Accounts
One witness reported that the aircraft was at an altitude of 300 to 400 feet above ground level when the nose rose abruptly, the left wing dropped, and the aircraft descended to the ground. Other witnesses stated that the aircraft banked sharply to the left and turned approximately 180 degrees before the nose dropped. The aircraft struck a tree limb in a nearly vertical descent and then impacted the ground.
Pilot Background
The pilot had a history of cardiovascular disease.