19980813020659A

(-23)Witnesses stated the airplane made a low pass along the airstrip followed by a 8 point roll, and 90-270 degree course reversal, then another low pass to the west with a pull-up into wither a loop or a cuban-eight maneuver. Just after attaining the top of this maneuver the airplane rolled out with a heading change to the south, then a near level attitude before the left wing dropped and it disappeared into the trees. Impact was heard then smoke appreared through the trees. (.4) witnesses at a residence on the airstrip observed the airplane make a low pass to the east along the east-west runway of the airstrip, followed by an 8-point roll, a 90-270 degree course reversal, and another low pass to the west with a pull-up into what was described as either a loop or cuban-eight maneuver. Just after attaining the top of this last maneuver, the airplane was rolled out with a heading change toward the south, where it was observed to be near level attitude before the left wing dropped and it disappeared from view due to obscuration by trees. Impact was heard shortly after the airplane disappeared from view. The airplane was located in a wooded area and was consumed by fire. One witness familiar with both the pilot and the airplane had noted a slight hesitation at the top of the loop or cuban-eight maneuver. He observed that the winds aloft were quite strong from the north, which may have caused the airplane to drift south of the east-west runway, so that terrain clearance (due to high trees bordering the south side of the runway) would have been reduced when the pilot was at the top of the maneuver. He noted that he heard no indications of a loss of engine power, although some other witnesses at the same location on the airstrip believed there had been a momentary power interruption before the crash. No evidence of preimpact mechanical deficiency or of pre-impact fire was observed during the on-scene investigation.