Incident Description
According to a passenger, the student pilot performed one go-around at the airstrip before returning for landing. During the final approach, the airplane sank into the trees, then rotated to the left and collided nose-down into a creek.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination revealed no evidence of flight control or engine malfunction that would have contributed to the event. However, the seat anchors required for the airplane per Airworthiness Directive (AD) 49-15-01 were absent.
Maintenance Records
A maintenance logbook entry dated May 25, 1995, was the most recent known record of compliance with AD 49-15-01. Additionally, maintenance records indicated the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on December 1, 2000.