Flight Details
A certificated commercial pilot, who also served as a flight instructor, and a passenger conducted a local area flight to inspect a remote landing strip. The landing area is approximately 2,500 feet long at an elevation of 3,000 feet mean sea level, oriented east/west.
Accident Sequence
The pilot reported that he first overflew the landing area at high altitude, then performed a low pass over the strip in a westerly direction at an altitude of about 10 to 14 feet above the ground. During the low pass, the pilot encountered wind shear at the west end of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane collided with trees.
Damage
The collision with trees resulted in damage to the aircraft's fuselage, landing gear, and wings.
Wind Conditions
The pilot indicated that before the accident, wind conditions were light and variable, generally from the south/southwest. After the crash, the winds were calm. The pilot did not report any turbulence.