What happened
The pilot intended to capture aerial photographs of companions located on a nearby beach. To accomplish this, he executed multiple low-altitude passes over the group. During the final approach for photography, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power, necessitating an immediate forced landing. The aircraft impacted the ground and nosed over into the soft sand surface.
The investigation
Following the incident, the engine was removed and subjected to a functional test. The mechanical inspection revealed that the engine operated satisfactorily during these tests, indicating no inherent mechanical failure at the time of examination.
Findings
The passenger onboard stated that the pilot appeared to be showing off and noted that the nose dropped unexpectedly. A witness on the ground observed the aircraft appearing to stall prior to impact. The combination of low altitude and soft terrain contributed to the nose-over damage.