Accident Summary
An aircraft contacted trees and the terrain during an attempted climb in a narrow canyon. The pilot stated that he was attempting to climb in order to clear rising terrain in the canyon when a downdraft was encountered. According to the pilot, he cleared the top of the ridge at 9,000 feet when the downdraft was experienced and the left wing contacted trees. Level flight could not be maintained, and the aircraft settled into the trees.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that the aircraft encountered a downdraft while climbing to clear rising terrain. After clearing the ridge at 9,000 feet, the downdraft caused the left wing to strike trees. The aircraft subsequently settled into the trees, resulting in contact with both trees and terrain.