"It started going up," said Roberto Paredes, 10. "Then it stopped [for]
a . . . second. Then it went down fast."
(http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/44449.htm)

I'm inclined to trust the 10-year-old kid's matter-of-fact report more
than those of reporters or adult witnesses who like to "interpret."

So, this 1800-hour instructor -- who reportedly overflew his
girlfriend's apartment at less than 500' AGL "to impress her," a clear
violation even under Part 91 -- definitely stalled the plane.

An unintentional stall, with or without a running engine, almost
certainly points to pilot error.

Almost all general-aviation "tragedies" are preventable. Too bad.

- Miles