Introduction
A pilot and his son departed on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan in a recently purchased airplane. The pilot had obtained his instrument rating 38 days earlier.
Sequence of Events
The pilot completed a localizer approach to runway 24. Ground witnesses reported that the airplane was high on final, with the majority estimating the aircraft was 500 feet above the ground at the approach end of the runway. The pilot requested a circle-to-land maneuver, which the tower approved.
Witnesses stated that the airplane overflew the 3,121-foot runway at an altitude between 100 and 200 feet above ground level (AGL). At the departure end of the runway, the pilot applied full power. Approximately 500 feet past the runway end, the pilot initiated a left turn with a bank angle estimated between 30 and 45 degrees, then leveled the wings briefly.
The aircraft then entered a steep left turn with an estimated bank angle of about 80 degrees while descending. During this turn, witnesses observed the landing gear retracting.
Post-Crash Examination
Post-crash examination revealed that the wing flaps were in transit at the time of impact.