Departure and Maneuver
The pilot departed a hunting camp located approximately two miles south of the accident site about five minutes before the incident. According to the pilot, he flew low across the intended landing site, pulled up, and began a turn to return for landing. He noted that while some flags tied to brush alongside the landing site were blowing in the wind, others were hanging limp.
Encounter with Airspeed Changes
During the low pass, the airplane experienced a large gain followed by a loss of airspeed. As the pilot initiated the turn, the airplane quit flying and one wing dropped. The pilot described lowering the nose in an attempt to increase airspeed, then pulling up just prior to contacting the ground.
Post-Accident Observations
After the accident, the pilot and witnesses reported seeing dust devils in the area. The pilot was wearing a helmet and was restrained by both a lap belt and shoulder harness. He sustained compressive fractures of the spine but reported no head injuries. The helmet was split open, and the forward-left cockpit tube cluster and instrument panel were dented.