Accident Overview
An airplane completing a circuit in the landing pattern was observed by a witness approximately halfway down a 2,200-foot runway, flying about 10 feet above the ground. The airplane appeared as if it was going to land, but the witness noted that landing would have resulted in a runway overrun. The witness's view was blocked as the airplane passed, but he heard the engine running steadily with no change in power setting before subsequently hearing the crash.
Sequence of Events
The pilot took no evasive action to avoid trees that were clearly visible directly in front of the airplane. The initial tree impacts occurred at about 60 feet in height, approximately 350 feet beyond the end of the runway. Resuscitation efforts continued for nearly an hour after the accident, but the pilot never regained a heartbeat.
Postcrash Examination
A postcrash examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies. Autopsy results indicated an occlusion of the left main coronary artery; no injuries were noted that would have resulted in an immediate death from impact.