Accident Overview
A light aircraft was destroyed following an off-airport landing and post-crash fire. The pilot and his wife, the sole occupants, sustained minor injuries and were able to exit the aircraft without assistance.
Takeoff and Flight Path
The aircraft departed from a location that sloped downhill, oriented to the northeast. At the time of departure, the wind was from the southwest at approximately 5–8 knots, resulting in a left quartering tailwind component. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft passed over a bluff where the terrain dropped away, and then flew over an area populated with deciduous trees.
Settling and Maneuver
During the flight over the wooded area, the aircraft began to settle. The pilot initiated a left turn toward the west in an apparent attempt to manage the descent. Just after the aircraft cleared the tree line, it impacted the ground in a left wing and nose low attitude. The aircraft came to rest 49 feet beyond the initial point of ground contact.
Post-Crash Fire
A fire developed after the aircraft came to rest. The pilot and his wife evacuated the aircraft with minor injuries. No further information about the extent of injuries or the nature of the fire is available from the source material.