Incident Overview
The aircraft collided with rising terrain in a box canyon. According to the pilot, he became trapped as the terrain appeared to rise up to meet the airplane, prompting a decision to attempt a landing on a nearby road. However, the aircraft stalled and struck trees before reaching the road.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that he was unfamiliar with the territory. He described finding himself in a situation where the terrain seemed to come up to meet the plane, leading him to opt for a road landing. The aircraft stalled into trees prior to reaching the road.
Operational Conditions
A pilot who frequently flies in the canyon reported that the south side of the ridge experiences downdrafts. The density altitude was computed to be 7,836 ft. No further details were provided regarding weather or other conditions.