Accident Overview
The accident occurred after the pilot of an airplane departed. The pilot had been cleared at 1218 to proceed under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). No further contact with the flight was made after that point. No witnesses to the accident were identified.
Witness Account
A pilot-rated acquaintance reported speaking with the pilot on a cell phone shortly before departure. According to the acquaintance, the pilot stated he was going out to "practice stalls and spins." The acquaintance indicated that he believed the statement was a joke, referencing a previous conversation with the pilot.
Wreckage Examination
The main wreckage was located approximately 20 feet from a ground scar. The ground scar contained fragments of the right wingtip position light assembly. Adjacent to the main wreckage, a fresh ground crater measuring about seven feet long, seven feet wide, and two feet deep was observed in the sandy clay dirt.
No Malfunctions Found
Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of malfunctions or failures in the airframe, flight controls, engine, or accessories.