What happened
The pilot was monitoring a pursuit involving United States Border Patrol agents from an altitude of 500 feet AGL. In an effort to assist the ground agents, the pilot decided to perform an off-airport landing.
To prepare for the landing, the pilot configured the airplane with power at idle, flaps set to 30 degrees, and an airspeed of 45 mph. The pilot then began a descending turn with a 60-degree bank. During this maneuver, the airspeed increased to approximately 60 mph.
Upon leveling the wings, the aircraft experienced a rapid closure rate with the ground, measured between 1,500 and 2,000 fpm. The pilot attempted to initiate a go-around after realizing the descent rate was excessive; however, the aircraft impacted the ground. Following the impact, the airplane skidded and rotated to the right, coming to rest at a 90-degree angle to the approach path. The terrain at the site consisted of rough, root-plowed ground with patches of grass.