Accident Details
A witness reported observing an aircraft flying in the area for approximately five to ten minutes, during which the aircraft executed a specific maneuver three times. The maneuver involved banking and descending while engine power increased during the descent. The witness noted that the aircraft was at low altitude during the maneuver. The accident occurred on the third repetition of the maneuver.
The aircraft subsequently crashed in a swamp in a nose-down attitude.
Investigation Findings
An examination of the aircraft did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction. The investigation revealed that the student pilot had failed his private pilot test flight approximately one week earlier. According to FAA records, the student failed all flight phases during that test. The accident occurred on the student's second flight since the test, and neither of these flights involved dual instruction with his flight instructor.
Pilot Background
The student pilot had recently undergone a private pilot checkride, which he did not pass. The test failure covered all flight phases. Following the failed test, the student flew twice; the accident flight was the second of these solo flights, conducted without an instructor present.