What happened
The pilot performed a low and slow pass over the landing area. Upon completing the pass, the pilot executed a sharp banked turn to the left while maintaining a low airspeed. This maneuver resulted in an aerodynamic stall, causing the aircraft to crash.
At the time of the accident, the aircraft was carrying 2 occupants, a dog, 73 lbs of groceries, and a 50 lb sack of feed located on each wing strut. While the load was noted, investigators did not verify the specific weight or weight distribution. The passenger involved in the flight reported that the aircraft had encountered turbulence and wind gusts.
The investigation
Investigators found no preimpact mechanical problems that would have contributed to the accident. A toxicology examination of the pilot's blood revealed a low level of ethanol; however, no ethanol was detected in his urine. It was noted that the amount of ethanol in the blood could not be verified as being caused by putrefaction.