Accident Sequence
Witnesses reported observing the airplane flying at low altitude. One witness stated the pilot made three low passes near her home, with the third pass involving the airplane pulling straight up before leveling off. Another witness observed the airplane passing below 100 feet above ground level in front of their house, noting that the engine was not sputtering and appeared to be functioning properly.
Subsequently, the airplane struck the top ground wires of a high-tension electrical power line. Shortly after colliding with the wires, the airplane impacted a dirt road beneath them and began burning.
Examination
An on-scene examination of the wreckage revealed no anomalies with the flight controls or engine that would have prevented flight. Two ground wires were found entangled in the wreckage.
Toxicology
Toxicology tests detected ethanol in the pilot's blood at a level of 141.000 mg/dL (0.141%) and in the vitreous fluid at 163 mg/dL (0.163%). The tests also detected tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid, an inactive metabolite of marijuana, in the pilot's blood at a level of 0.002 mcg/mL.