Overview
An airplane operating under unknown circumstances crashed into a residential area after being observed flying erratically at low altitude. The aircraft entered a left wing, nose low attitude before impacting the ground.
Incident Details
Witnesses reported the airplane flying in an erratic manner at low altitude. It subsequently entered a left wing, nose low attitude and struck the ground in a residential neighborhood. The crash resulted in massive traumatic injuries to both occupants, as documented in autopsy reports. These injuries were sustained during a struggle that occurred in flight.
Investigation Findings
Autopsy findings indicated that the injuries were consistent with a struggle between the pilot and the passenger. The passenger had reportedly planned to take his own life by jumping out of the airplane over the mountains of Colorado, believing he had an inoperable brain tumor. The investigation determined that the passenger interfered with the controls during the struggle.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was a loss of airplane control as a result of control interference by the passenger following a struggle between the pilot and the passenger.