Accident Sequence
The airplane was observed after departure by witnesses flying low over a tree line. According to witnesses, the airplane subsequently entered a nose-low turning attitude and then collided with the ground. After impact, the airplane came to rest in a nose-down attitude with the engine buried in the ground. The wing assemblies displayed perpendicular crush damage to their leading edges.
Witness Reports
One witness reported seeing blue/gray smoke emanating from the engine compartment, while another witness reported no smoke. Despite this discrepancy, both witnesses agreed that the airplane adopted a nose-low turning attitude prior to the ground collision.
Engine Examination
The engine assembly was removed from the wreckage and transported to an engine repair facility for a teardown examination. The examination revealed impact damage throughout the drive train of the engine. No mechanical problems were identified during the examination.