and the header is laying just off the eyebrow on the swale.  If he was combining at night, it would explain it.  Even I can see the wash on the top of the eyebrow.

Excellent reason to never open up a field after dark. Even 1 round around the field during daylight provides that safety zone so you don't have "unexpected breakdowns" like that one. Probably didn't even hurt the header,just dropped the header on it's way down.

You guys must not farm on or around hills much.  The guy was completely safe till he turned down hill toward the edge at night. (if he was running at night?) I'm betting he didn't or couldn't see the wash. It actually looks like he slid sideways on the straw.