Plane found on Altamont property Saturday had crashed a week ago. Pilot says he didn't want to tell FAA

1,500 German stiff-head garlic bulbs, classic.

75 years old, let's help him get his plane outta the tree's and give him a attaboy.
True pioneer's and thrill seekers don't need no stinking rules or reg's.

"It's almost impossible to kill yourself in a Piper," said the guy who hasn't killed himself in a Piper. Yet.

In all seriousness, does anyone know whether the modifications that he was making were legit?

Not to get too technical, but 49 CFR Part 830 states that a pilot has 10 days to report an "accident". If you can believe the article, he had time to report. Anyhow, what Mr. Jackson did was probably not considered an accident according to CFR's unless it will cost more than $25,000 to remove the plane and repair the trees if necessary. He also had time to fill out a NASA report which also has a 10 day postmark limit. An old timer like he was, probably was unfamiliar or didn't care about current regs (watering his garlic). Looking ahead, if the plane is found to have damaged certain critical airframe components and received "substantial damage", the NTSB might re-classify this from "incident" to "accident". Any follow up on this from you Florida guys?

Hmmm. Sounds familiar but I did make it back to the field and sis tell the FAA.

I am concerned the public will misinterpret the statement 'that this isn't his first crash' and roll it into his attempt to hide this accident, drawing a false conclusion that all pilots are a threat to public safety.