What happened
During a flight instruction session, the instructor was conducting a specialized course. Guidelines for this specific instructional program recommended maintaining a maximum bank angle of 30 degrees and avoiding maneuvers that might frighten the student.
Following one touch-and-go landing, the aircraft was observed entering a steep 360-degree turn, appearing to be an attempt to maintain spacing behind another aircraft. During this maneuver, the plane descended and disappeared behind a line of trees. Witnesses at the scene reported hearing a surge of engine power immediately before the impact.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and engine following the accident but found no preimpact part failure or mechanical malfunction. An examination of the flight instructor's logbook revealed that while he had flown in this specific make and model on a previous flight with the owner, he had not logged any flight time in this particular aircraft type. The logbook was noted to be current up to two days prior to the accident.