Departure and Climb
At 1515 Pacific Standard Time, a student pilot and a passenger departed from South Lake Tahoe Airport. The pilot stated that after takeoff, he climbed to approximately 1,200 feet above ground level (AGL). The airport itself sits at an elevation of 6,264 feet mean sea level (MSL), located in a mountainous region.
Turbulence Encounter
During the climb, the aircraft encountered extreme turbulence and downdrafts. The pilot reported losing control of the aircraft and did not regain it until just prior to impacting the ground.
Post-Accident Observations
Following the accident, a helicopter pilot who was in the vicinity also reported experiencing moderate to severe turbulence at the time. No other details were provided regarding the condition of the aircraft or its occupants.
Aircraft Equipment
The aircraft was equipped with lights used for displaying commercial advertisements at night. No further information about the aircraft type or registration was given.