Witness Account
A witness reported that a private airplane, with a pilot and passenger on a local flight, was seen flying level at approximately 1,000 feet above ground level a few minutes after departure. The witness then observed a reduction in engine power, followed by a pitch-up of the airplane's nose, which the witness interpreted as an entry into a stall. Subsequently, the left wing rotated 90 degrees downward, and the nose dropped, pointing the airplane toward the ground. The airplane completed one rotation about its axis, stopped rotating, but continued pointing downward and accelerating. The nose began to pull up, but the airplane impacted the ground before the recovery was complete. The witness noted that after the power reduction, the engine was not audible, but wind noise was heard.
Accident Sequence
The airplane proceeded from level flight to a stall and into a descending, rotating motion. The descent involved a full rotation followed by an attempted nose-up recovery that was not successful in preventing ground impact. The aircraft was observed to be accelerating during the descent.
Post-Accident Examination
Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction. Examination of the airframe revealed that the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizers were bent downward, and the wings were bowed upward. These deformations are consistent with the forces experienced during the impact.