On August 25, 2003, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-180, N15285, collided with terrain while maneuvering at 500 feet in the vicinity of Pauma Valley, California. The airplane was operated by the Aerostar Companies, Inc., under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and single passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual metrological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The flight originated at McClellan-Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, California, at 1000. In a written statement, the pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to take photographs. His son accompanied him as the photographer. The elevation in the area was 1,400 feet mean sea level (msl). The pilot descended to 2,000 feet msl, slowed to 90 miles per hour (mph), and extended the flaps 10 degrees. During a turn with about 15 degrees angle of bank, the airplane lost 200 feet of altitude. He immediately rolled out of the turn, added full power, and encountered rising terrain. He began looking for a place to descend in order to "pick up some airspeed." A flat spot in a canyon was observed and he proceeded toward that area at 60 mph. He turned the airplane to line up with the clearing and made further adjustments to the left to avoid a house. The pilot saw power lines and an oak tree in the airplane's path. He felt if he could clear the power lines, he could "dive toward the orchard." After clearing the power lines, the airplane impacted the oak tree, and came to rest inverted. The pilot's conclusion of the accident was that he was operating the airplane too low and allowed himself to become trapped in a canyon with rising terrain. No mechanical malfunctions were noted with the airplane.