What happened
A witness reported hearing a distinct change in engine noise from an approaching airplane. Upon looking up, the witness observed the airplane performing a spiraling turn at treetop level. The aircraft then transitioned into a steep descent, estimated at a 45-degree nose-down attitude. As the aircraft pitched down, it disappeared below the tree line. Immediately prior to the impact with the ground, the engine noise ceased entirely.
The investigation
Post-crash examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly, and various accessories showed no evidence of any mechanical malfunction or failure occurring prior to the crash. Investigators noted that both fuel tanks were ruptured during the event. However, there was no odor of fuel detected at the site, and no damage to the surrounding vegetation was found that would be consistent with a fuel spillage.