Preflight and Departure
While conducting a preflight inspection, the airplane owner was approached by two visiting pilots, one of whom expressed interest in purchasing the same model of aircraft. After a lengthy conversation, the owner started the engine and taxied. The visiting pilots radioed the owner and requested a ride. The accident pilot consented, stating that he would return to pick them up after completing a turn around the traffic pattern.
Maneuvers
After takeoff, the airplane climbed steeply to a level-off at an altitude of 100 feet. At the departure end of the runway, approximately 200 feet from the threshold, the airplane turned to the right—opposite the direction of the traffic pattern—and circled back to align with the runway heading. Subsequently, the pilot increased the bank angle to nearly 90 degrees and maintained that bank until the aircraft was out of sight of witnesses.
Accident Sequence
During the maneuver, the airplane steadily lost altitude for half a turn until it contacted the ground. The right wing made contact first, and the airplane then cartwheeled. At the moment of impact, the angle of bank was approximately 30 degrees, and the rate of descent was nil.