Something similar happened to my Avistar last spring. I was just flying around when all the sudden I noticed that I was way too close to one of the trees that line our field. The plane flew into the tree, and I let go of the controls as it entered. I hear snap/crackle/pop. A second later the plane comes out at a 90 degree agle to how it entered (heading toward the runway no less). All the parts appear attached with the exception of the vertical slab which was attached only by the rudder control rod and clevis. The plane was however deadstick and I manage to control the plane through an easy descent into the tall grass. Upon inspection, there's absolutely no damage other than the broken slab. Amazing!