NTSB Factual Report

According to the pilot, he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane with no anomalies noted. The purpose of the flight was to circle around a friend's property and return to the departure airport. As the pilot began the first turn to circle the property, he waved to his friends and did not recall anything following the initiated turn. According to a witness, as the airplane began to turn, it lost altitude and descended at a 45 degree angle until it struck a tree and then the ground. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the wings and fuselage during the accident sequence. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during low level maneuvering flight.