Accident Sequence
According to witnesses near the accident site, the pilot was maneuvering the airplane while herding cattle. A witness reported observing the airplane dive down at the cows and then pull up at a sharp angle. This maneuver occurred twice. After the second maneuver, the pilot initiated a 360-degree turn. As the turn was completed with the wings level, the airplane collided with a series of power transmission lines located in front of the aircraft (at the pilot's 12 o'clock position). Subsequently, the airplane collided with terrain.
Witness Account
The witness stated that they saw the airplane dive toward the cows and pull up steeply twice. After the second pull-up, the airplane performed a full 360-degree turn. The witness then saw the airplane hit the power lines and then the ground.
Investigation Findings
Postaccident examination and teardown of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure prior to impact. No other causal factors were identified in the source material.