Accident Overview
The accident occurred during a flight from Medford to Santa Rosa. After dropping off company executives in Medford, the pilot was to return to Santa Rosa with no passengers. The pilot was the sole occupant and was killed in the accident.
Witness Accounts
Witnesses situated along the 25-mile valley that terminates at the accident site reported that the aircraft flew at extremely low altitudes. Descriptions included buzzing at altitudes as low as '10 feet' and so low that 'you could count the rivets.' US Forest Service personnel near the accident site stated that the aircraft flew over their position 'just above the trees,' following the slope of the mountain upward.
Accident Site and Examination
The accident site is located on a popular hiking trail that the pilot's girlfriend reportedly expressed a desire to visit. Examination of the site revealed that the aircraft first contacted the upper 5 feet of the treetops while in a climb attitude. Investigators found no evidence of preimpact failures with the aircraft.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined two occurrences. Occurrence #1: an in-flight collision with an object (tree) during the climb phase, attributed to the pilot's poor in-flight planning/decision, overconfidence in personal ability, intentional buzzing, and misjudged clearance. Occurrence #2: an in-flight collision with terrain/water during an uncontrolled descent.