Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control on approach for landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot delayed his flight due to fog in the local area. After departing, he flew around the local area for about 1 hour and 30 minutes when the flight started to get bumpy due to thermals. He became a little disoriented, observed personnel next to their home, and circled the house several times. He decided to make an off-field landing so that he could get an address, call his wife, and recover the airplane. The pilot made an additional pass over the house, reversed course, and started an approach for landing. The pilot reported encountering an updraft about 30 to 40 feet above the ground. The nose of the airplane pitched up and the pilot secured the engine. He pushed the nose of the airplane down and the airplane then collided with the ground. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The homeowners at the accident site reported that the sky was clear, with no wind gusts and a gentle breeze.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot delayed his flight due to fog in the local area. After departing, he flew around the local area for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. It then started to get bumpy due to thermals. He became a little disoriented, observed personnel next to their home, and circled the house several times. He decided to make an off field landing so he could get an address, call his wife, and recover the airplane. The pilot made an additional pass over the house, reversed course, and started an approach for landing. The pilot reported encountering an updraft about 30 to 40 feet above the ground. The nose of the airplane pitched up and the pilot secured the engine. He pushed the nose of the airplane down and the airplane then collided with the ground. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The homeowners at the accident site reported the sky was clear, no wind gust, and a gentle breeze.