[grobdriver]

That was so stupid.
An "aviation mechanic" huh?
They must be blind to the addition detail in those pictures of Jimmy's head in his lap. He's wasn't on his back.

1. Jimmy hits wake turbulence of the plane ahead of him.
2. The trim tab breaks off.
3. The elevator unloads.
4. The aircraft pitches up with > 15 Gees applied (this is known from telemetry).
5. Jimmy GLOCs, head goes forward - the G loads must have also broken his shoulder harness mounting bolts or the straps themselves (less likely) or the latch.
6. The aircraft, still at full power, goes ballistic.

There was no heroic pilot saving the day - he was just a passenger in those last few seconds.

[SgtBob]

I agree with your take that the PIC was indeed a passenger. He “mayday”d, but, hells bells FAA has 16G seats in coach...was his A&P that shoddy?

[SandwicheGuy]

1. Jimmy hits wake turbulence of the plane ahead of him. 2. The trim tab breaks off.

Somewhere in here the pilot calls 'Mayday.' And somewhere in here the tail wheel lowers.

The trim tab would have instantly separated at that speed, with the results you mentioned, leaving one to speculate that something else caused the pilot to call 'Mayday' before the trip tab separated as there would have been no time after.