Accident Details
The accident occurred during a nighttime final approach in gusty and high wind conditions. The airplane struck trees, power lines, and terrain. According to a witness, the airplane was "extremely low, and [the airplanes] never fly that low." The airplane passed over the witness's home, impacted a tree on a neighbor's property, and came to rest in the backyard of an adjacent property, approximately 2,600 feet short of runway 30.
Another witness reported hearing the impact, initially believing that the wind had caused a tree or something to hit power lines.
Personnel Information
The airplane was occupied by two pilots. The pilot in the right seat held a private pilot certificate and had accumulated 73 total flight hours, including 15.2 hours in the accident airplane. The occupant in the left seat held a student pilot certificate and had 21 total flight hours.
Environmental Conditions
A wind monitor located 1 mile from the accident site recorded an average wind speed of 44 mph, a peak wind of 52 mph, and a wind direction averaging 355 degrees.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.