Witness Observations
Initial reports from witnesses described the airplane flying at tree-top altitude along a river that passed the town where the pilot resided. According to witnesses, this type of flight was observed on numerous occasions.
One witness stated that the airplane reversed course and then rolled "upside down (left wing up first)" and began to "quiver, not violently, but as though it had a chill." After this, "the nose dropped and the plane plunged vertically to the ground."
Another witness reported that the airplane "did a real sharp right" and then "flew directly into the trees and [river] bank in an upright position and burst into flames."
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the airplane and engine did not disclose any structural or mechanical anomalies.
Pilot Background
The pilot had received 4 hours of basic aerobatic instruction and logged 115 hours of aerobatic flight in the accident airplane.