Incident Overview
A pilot flying in a high desert valley described an incident during an intended low pass over a remote airstrip. The pilot aimed to assess the strip's suitability for future landings. According to the pilot, before the pass he reduced speed and extended full flaps.
Maneuver and Control Issue
Following a left turn in this configuration, the pilot reported that the flight controls in pitch became "loose as if the tail stalled," and immediately afterward "the nose pitched down." He added power, but his sensation was "that the plane was flying but being pushed to the ground with no feedback from the elevator."
Impact and Damage
As the airplane neared the ground, the pilot applied back pressure, but the aircraft impacted the ground hard. The impact caused substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies before or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.