What happened
During an approach following the VOR-A procedure, an aircraft was instructed to perform a circle to a right downwind leg for landing on runway 14. While operating under overcast conditions, the aircraft was observed by air traffic control emerging over runway 23 at the VOR position. The aircraft then executed a sharp right turn to establish a downwind path parallel to runway 14.
As the aircraft reached the threshold of runway 14, the nose pitched upward, followed by a sudden wing-over maneuver. This was immediately followed by a steep dive that caused the aircraft to strike the ground near the runway threshold. The pilot, who was the only person on board, was killed in the impact.
Findings
Air traffic control observations indicated that the pilot had performed this specific flight pattern daily and had previously executed similar maneuvers on multiple occasions.