Originally published at: Pilot Killed in California Cessna Crash - AVweb
The NTSB is investigating.
Wow! Interesting that power, trim and rudder was not effective enough to get it on the ground. Poor kid and his family who will have to relive this a few times.
Sounds like the first solo cross country and the pilot was not ready. Hard call for the instructor. Not knowing the new pilot was not ready to go out cross country by himself or herself. Except, Reid Hillview is a wacky place. Coming out of Reid Hillview with one’s head intact is probably a challenge. Or, a combination of misadventures. The history of the aircraft is probably in question also. Does not sound like it was working perfectly. Except a more experienced pilot would find a way around any partially disabled aircraft. Too many possibilities in this scenario. Flying in circles never works. Certainly sounds like a panic attack. The pilot was just not ready by all indications. Especially flying in circles for 2 or 3 hours? No one does that, unless panicked.
Did you even watch the video? You really should before commenting.