Flight Purpose
The purpose of the flight was for the pilot-in-command/aircraft owner to receive familiarization training from a certified flight instructor (CFI) in his newly purchased airplane. The pilot-in-command was a recently retired airline pilot who had not flown general aviation airplanes for a number of years.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported hearing the aircraft engine and seeing the airplane descending straight into the trees. One witness reported that the airplane went "straight up or tried to" prior to descending. Another witness reported seeing the airplane "twist" a little prior to it descending.
Accident Site
The accident site was in a heavily wooded area which was surrounded by open fields. The airplane impacted the terrain in a nose down attitude. The only trees observed to have been damaged were those immediately surrounding the impact site. The landing gear and flaps were observed in the extended position.
Aircraft Inspection
Inspection of the airplane and engine failed to reveal any mechanical failure or malfunction which would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Radar Data
Radar data indicated that during the last 26 minutes of the flight, the airplane had been maneuvering with changes in heading, altitude, and groundspeed indicative of stalls and/or slow flight. The groundspeed, based on the radar data, varied from 164 knots to 39 knots. Just prior to the loss of radar contact, the groundspeed based on the radar data was approximately 54 knots.
Stall Speeds
According to the aircraft manufacturer, the aircraft stall speeds at a gross weight of 2,740 pounds, with flaps retracted, is 68 miles per hour (mph) or 59 knots. With flaps set at 15 degrees, the stall speed is 64 mph or 55 knots. With flaps fully extended, the stall speed is 62 mph or 54 knots. The speeds provided do not take into consideration the position of the landing gear.