Accident Sequence
A student pilot with approximately 70 hours of flight time was conducting a personal flight when he flew over his brother's residence. Witnesses observed the aircraft's wings being rocked back and forth. The pilot then proceeded to fly over his own home, circling at an altitude between 300 and 500 feet above ground level. The pilot's mother, who was present at the residence, saw the aircraft and waved. She reported that her son subsequently 'wiggled' the aircraft's wings. As she continued to watch, the aircraft's bank angle steepened.
Numerous witnesses reported that the bank angle increased to 90 degrees or more, and the aircraft began a rapid descent. It ultimately crashed into a neighbor's backyard while in a 60-degree pitch-down attitude.
Pilot Background
The pilot was a student pilot who had recently passed the private pilot written examination and had completed most of the flight training required for certification. According to the source, he was looking forward to becoming a licensed pilot.
Investigation Findings
Investigators found no evidence of any preimpact failure or malfunction of the aircraft or its engine. The source did not specify a probable cause for the accident.