Sequence of Events
The pilot conducted two low passes over the east-west runway, one in each direction. The third pass was made to the east at an approach speed of 65 mph with 40 degrees of flaps. The airplane stalled at a height of 4 to 6 feet above the runway, approximately 100 to 200 feet from the start of the 900-foot long runway.
Impact and Abort
The airplane contacted the left side of the runway in a three-point attitude. The left main landing gear passed through tall grass and entered a small ditch. Full power was applied to abort the landing. The pilot turned the airplane 40 degrees to the right in an attempt to avoid a juniper tree at the end of the runway.
Collision with Tree
Despite the turn, the left wing struck the branches of the juniper tree, damaging the outer one-third of the wing leading edge.
Post-Impact Travel
After striking the tree, the airplane continued through a barbed wire fence, crossed a gravel road, and then went through another barbed wire fence before coming to a halt in a field.