Overview
A pilot contacted a friend and instructed him to go to the beach and watch for the airplane. The friend subsequently observed the airplane making approximately three passes along the beach. During the third pass, the airplane executed a steep left turn, which the friend believed resulted in a stall. The airplane then impacted the water just offshore. Several witnesses responded and assisted in removing the pilot from the airplane and the water.
Damage and Wreckage
The forward fuselage of the airplane sustained heavy damage during the impact. The wreckage came to rest in approximately five feet of water.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that upon arriving at the peninsula, he proceeded across the shoreline and then crossed the beach, descending to an altitude of about 100 feet. He stated that he made a right turn, and after passing a bridge, he performed a tight left turn. During the left turn, he felt a bump or drop, as if his left wing lost lift. He then leveled off with a slightly nose-high attitude and headed in an east-southeast direction. The pilot could not recall any additional details of the accident.