Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to properly judge his level off altitude while maneuvering.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to witnesses, the pilot made several low passes over his grandmother's house with her and other family members watching. On the last pass, the airplane impacted in the backyard of the house, bounced over the house, and subsequently impacted the ground a second time about 1/2 mile beyond the house. The nose gear was found in the backyard and the witnesses stated they heard the engine accelerate after the initial impact. The newly certificated private pilot told investigators that he was at 3,000 feet when he experienced an engine failure. He also stated that since he was over an area he knew well, he was aware of several good forced landing areas and that his forced landing glide happened to terminate in his grandmother's backyard.
Source record
Factual narrative
-