Maneuver and Impact
The pilot-in-command decided to overfly a friend's house. While maneuvering at low altitude, the pilot executed a steep left turn for a full 360 degrees. After completing the turn, the pilot leveled the airplane just above the tree line. Immediately after leveling, the pilot observed a large pine tree approximately 30 feet ahead. The pilot began to pull up on the airplane, but it impacted the tree.
Injuries and Damage
The collision caused serious injuries to the pilot. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Following the impact, the pilot-rated passenger took control of the aircraft and landed without further incident.
Safety Equipment
The pilot-rated passenger reported that neither he nor the pilot-in-command were using their shoulder harnesses at the time of the accident.