Overview
An aircraft was observed by witnesses conducting an unusual flight operation prior to its crash. The aircraft was seen flying at a low altitude and slow speed while dispensing ping pong balls from a tube attached to the airframe. The flight ended with a crash that was captured on videotape.
Witness Accounts
Multiple witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying low and slow. They noted that the aircraft was dropping ping pong balls from a dispensing tube while in flight. The exact purpose of this activity is not specified in the investigation.
Video Evidence
A videotape of the flight immediately before the crash provides detailed visual data. The footage shows the aircraft entering a right roll and descending towards the ground. Throughout most of the descending turn, the video reveals that the left aileron was deflected upward to varying degrees, while the right aileron was deflected in the opposite direction. This asymmetric aileron deflection is documented but not interpreted.
Investigation Findings
The investigation found no evidence of any malfunction in the flight controls or the powerplant. The absence of mechanical failure indicates that the aircraft was operating normally from a systems perspective at the time of the accident. The reason for the unusual flight characteristics preceding the crash is not stated in the source.