Cessna 182T | N227TF

The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the two rated pilots were observed flying very low and aggressive type flying on previous flights, and did film themselves for social media purposes just prior to the accident. The accident aircraft had done a full stop landing at KIYK and then departed to the south at a very low (500 AGL) altitude, with erratic airspeed, altitude and headings, just before impacting mountainous terrain approximately 7 minutes after departure and 10 miles south of the departure airport. The aircraft impacted directly into the side of steep rising terrain, where it boke apart and caught fire. Both occupants were trapped inside the aircraft fuselage and could not get out, but were likely killed by the impact.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to avoid “Flying Cowboy” style low level aggressive Buzzing / Acro maneuvering thrill type flight operations.