Accident Sequence
A witness reported observing the airplane in an extended dive, with the engine running throughout the entire descent. The aircraft was described as being at an extremely sharp angle of descent, heading west. The witness stated that the plane continued downward past the point where they expected it to pull up, until it reached tree-top level, disappeared from view, and a muffled impact 'thud' was heard rather than an explosive sound. The airplane impacted the ground inverted and in a steep nose-down attitude.
Pre-Impact Inspection
An inspection of the airplane revealed no pre-impact anomalies.
Instructor's Practices
Student pilots who had received flight instruction from the accident certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the CFI would demonstrate spins within the first three flights of instruction. One student pilot reported that the CFI had demonstrated a wingover and a spin during his third instructional flight, which was his first flight with that CFI.
Witness Report on Student Pilot
A witness stated that the accident flight was the student pilot's first instructional flight in any aircraft.