What happened
The purpose of the flight was to survey various farm fields. The aircraft was occupied by the pilot, who was one of the owners of both the farm and the aircraft, and a farm worker acting as a passenger. According to the passenger, the pilot had fueled the aircraft prior to departure.
The flight pattern involved taking off and flying over fields located northwest of the farm, beginning in the north and progressing southward. After completing the survey of the fields, the pilot turned the aircraft toward the Wilbur airport. The aircraft subsequently crashed at a location approximately midway between the Sheffels Ranch private airstrip—situated about 5 nautical miles north-northwest of the Wilbur airport—and the Wilbur airport.
At the time of the accident, which occurred around local sunset, weather conditions at the nearest observation stations were reported as visual meteorological conditions with light to calm winds. There were no other witnesses to the accident.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft wreckage indicated a low-speed, right-wing-first impact with the terrain. Investigators found no evidence of mechanical or structural problems regarding the engine, the aircraft, or its components. Additionally, an autopsy and toxicological testing of the pilot revealed no significant underlying disease or the presence of impairing substances.