What happened
The accident involved an aircraft that struck a tree during low-level flight operations. According to statements made by the passenger, who was the son of the pilot, the pilot was engaged in low-level flying when the collision with the tree occurred. Following the impact, the pilot lost control of the aircraft, resulting in a crash.
The investigation
Investigative efforts included an interview conducted at a hospital with the passenger, who is the son of the pilot involved in the accident. During this interview, the passenger provided information to an FAA inspector regarding the circumstances leading up to the crash. The investigation also focused on the certification status of the individual operating the aircraft at the time of the incident.
Findings
A critical factor in this accident was the legal status of the pilot. At the time of the accident, the pilot did not possess either a valid FAA pilot certificate or a medical certificate. This lack of proper certification is a significant regulatory violation that contributed to the circumstances of the flight.