THE STUDENT PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE USING THE AIRPLANE TO SEARCH FOR NEWBORN LIVESTOCK. A WITNESS SAW THE AIRPLANE, 'IN A SPIN. IT ROTATED TOW OR THREE TIMES COMPLETELY AROUND.' IT WENT OUT OF SIGHT BEHIND A HILL AND THE WITNESS SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES AND WENT TO THE SCENE. RECORDS SHOW THE PILOT'S LAST PERIOD OF DUAL INSTRUCTION, WHICH INCLUDED AN ENDORSEMENT FOR SOLO FLIGHT, ELEVEN MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE LISTED AN EXPERIENCE LEVEL OF 275 FLIGHT HOURS. NO MECHANICAL DEFECTS WERE FOUND IN THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINE.