Preliminary Statement
In a preliminary oral statement, the pilot reported that the flight encountered an unforeseen overcast and rising mountainous terrain. Later, she stated that they were attempting to maintain visual flight rules (VFR) flight in mountains with scattered clouds in the area. When they initiated a climb to clear a ridge, the aircraft encountered a downdraft. Subsequently, the aircraft settled into trees on a steep rising slope and crashed.
Visibility and Terrain
Both pilots estimated the visibility was about 1.5 miles. Other participants observed clouds obscuring the ridge crest and deviated about 5 miles south to lower terrain. The elevation of the crash site was approximately 5,000 feet.
Flight Conditions
The pilot indicated that the weather conditions included scattered clouds and an unforeseen overcast. The mountainous terrain presented rising slopes. The aircraft was attempting to maintain VFR flight when the downdraft occurred during the climb. The crash site was on a steep rising slope at 5,000 feet elevation.