Accident Overview
A pilot and a passenger were conducting aerial surveillance in support of livestock operations. According to a written report and subsequent telephone discussion, the pilot stated that the flight was at an altitude of 200 feet above ground level (AGL) with an indicated airspeed of 60 miles per hour. During the third pass, the pilot reported that "the aircraft got soft and dropped slightly."
Pilot Actions and Aircraft Response
In response to the unexpected descent, the pilot added power and lowered the nose of the airplane. However, the aircraft continued to settle, eventually striking a treetop and then the terrain. In his written report, the pilot noted that the airplane did not respond to normal stall recovery techniques, even after lowering the nose and adding power.
Mechanical Condition
No mechanical difficulties or malfunctions were reported by the pilot. The aircraft's performance during the event was attributed to operational conditions rather than any system failure.