What happened
A witness observed a single-seat aircraft take off toward the south, climbing above the level of a surrounding cornfield. During the climb, the aircraft executed a sharp right turn and dropped into the field, which resulted in a post-accident fire.
The accident resulted in 2 fatal injuries, involving the pilot and one passenger. A witness, who was the pilot's mother, sustained 2nd and third-degree burns while attempting to perform a rescue.
The investigation
Investigators located a horizontal impression of the spinner and propeller in the soil approximately two feet in front of the aircraft's nose. The metal, fixed-pitch propeller was found to be slightly bent, but there was no evidence of torsional bending or chordwise scratches. An examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical failure.
Toxicology testing of the pilot's blood showed a low level (0.002 ug/ml) of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. Urine tests for the pilot also detected 0.033 ug/ml of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, 0.109 ug/ml of methamphetamine, and 0.207 ug/ml of amphetamine.