Accident Overview
On the day of the accident, the pilot flew over a friend's residence, a maneuver he occasionally performed. The friend, observing the airplane overhead, waved his arms. In response, the pilot waggled the airplane's wings and executed one low pass over the residence.
Maneuver and Loss of Control
During a second circuit, the airplane quickly banked left and rolled out on a southerly heading. It began to lose altitude, and the engine revved to full power. Despite the power increase, the airplane continued descending. The airplane then pitched up approximately 10 degrees, clearing the friend's house by an estimated 25 to 30 feet.
Collision with Tree
Moments later, the airplane struck a tree at a speed of 50 to 60 mph. The friend reported that a tailwind of 5 to 15 mph was present at the time of the accident.
Post-Accident Observations
A strong smell of fuel was noted at the accident site. Examination revealed no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions.