Flight Details
The pilot reported a degradation of power while practicing touch and go landings at an outlying field. He decided to return to the original departure airport, located 21 miles away. The pilot did not specify the nature of the power problem in his radio communications.
Forced Landing and Witness Account
The pilot attempted a forced landing. A ground witness observed the airplane barely clearing powerlines while following the contours of a field. The witness reported the airplane was flying low and slow at approximately 50 feet when it nosedived, flipped over, and caught fire.
Wreckage and Scene Investigation
The main wreckage was located 80 feet from the initial ground scar on a heading of 080 degrees. The wind was from 250 degrees at 8 knots. The right wingtip showed leading edge crush marks. The left wing's leading edge was crushed from the strut attach point to the wingtip. The cabin was destroyed by fire. The propeller blades were undamaged except for forward bending at the blade tips. The right and left magnetos sustained fire damage.
Post-Accident Examination
An engine teardown and airframe inspection revealed no pre-impact anomalies.