Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while in the airport traffic pattern that resulted in an uncontrolled descent and impact with terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he had returned to the airport for landing after conducting a local personal flight. He was performing a lefthand traffic pattern and was turning from base leg to final approach when the airplane departed controlled flight and impacted a flat dirt field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that he did not remember any of the events after the airplane entered the airport traffic pattern except for radio calls that he made and that the airplane operated normally during the flight. A postaccident examination revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The private pilot of the personal flight stated that the takeoff from the departure airport was “smooth,” and he climbed the airplane to about 2,300 ft. and performed several maneuvers. He then decided to return to the departure airport for landing. The airplane impacted a flat dirt field and sustained substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. He did not remember any of the events after the airplane entered the airport traffic pattern except for radio calls that he made. The pilot stated that the airplane was operating normally during the flight. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal airplane operation.