September 15, Escondido, Calif. / Smith Miniplane

At 1831 Pacific time, an experimental Smith Miniplane DSA1 struck the ground while maneuvering near Lake Wohlford Airport. The pilot died the next day. A witness said he saw the airplane about 200 feet agl passing over the airport too fast and not at a normal landing attitude. At about 50 feet agl over the runway, the airplane did what the witness described as a barrel roll to the left and struck the ground. An acquaintance of the pilot said the pilot commonly did aerobatic maneuvers in his airplane, usually at about 400 feet agl.