NTSB Factual Report

According to the pilot's accident report, he wanted to take some photographs of a building on his farm. It was a "hot (85 to 88 degrees) humid day." He made one pass to the north before turning around to the south. On the second pass at reduced power, the airplane began to settle towards the ground from about 200 feet. He added power but the airplane's wheels contacted wheat on rising terrain. From 95 KIAS (knots indicated airspeed), the "drag was instant." Despite full power and full back elevator, the airplane struck the top of an incline, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over. The pilot said the wings were bent, the empennage crushed, and the fuselage buckled.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s delay in applying full power to arrest a sink rate at low altitude.