What happened
The pilot reported that weather conditions on the lake were turbulent, with winds gusting to 30 knots or more and shifting directions rapidly. Visual evidence of this instability was apparent on the water's surface, where swirls were clearly visible. After departing the lake and heading east, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 350 feet above ground level (AGL). At this point, the pilot encountered a significant downdraft. Despite applying full power, the aircraft lost altitude rapidly and settled into the surrounding trees.
The investigation
No mechanical examination or physical evidence collection is described in the source text. The account relies entirely on the pilot's post-incident report regarding weather conditions and flight dynamics.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to the incident were the severe local wind conditions and the resulting downdraft. The pilot noted gusting winds exceeding 30 knots with rapid directional changes, creating hazardous flying conditions near the surface. The encounter with a sudden downdraft at low altitude (350 AGL) overwhelmed the aircraft's climb performance, even with full power applied, leading to contact with trees.