The airplane was substantially damaged when it impacted trees at about 1100 Eastern time during a landing attempt. The flight instructor was fatally injured; the student pilot and passenger were seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to several witnesses, the final approach over trees was described as “unstable, with rocking wings.” Witnesses recalled some additions and reductions in power. The airplane started veering to the left, there was an addition of power and the left wing almost hit the ground. The airplane then touched down in the grass to the left of the runway, went through the last section of a wooden fence, entered some woods and burst into flames.