THE PILOT STATED HE WAS MAKING HIS FOURTH FLY-BY AT 400 FEET AGL WHEN THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A HIGH SINK RATE. HE THEN LOWERED THE NOSE AND GAINED AIRSPEED FOR RECOVERY. WHILE LEVELING OFF HE HAD TO TURN LEFT TO AVOID IMPACT WITH A SMALL TREE. AT THIS TIME THE LEFT LOWER WINGTIP CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE CRASH OCCURRED. GROUND FIRE ERUPTED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONSUMED.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

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