What happened
The aircraft departed from Salida, Colorado, which is located approximately 20 miles east of Monarch Pass. During the flight, the pilot reported that the aircraft would not climb above an altitude of 10,300 feet. This ceiling was insufficient to clear Monarch Pass, which has an elevation of 11,312 feet.
Facing the inability to gain sufficient altitude, the pilot initiated a 180-degree turn to reverse course. During this maneuver, the aircraft impacted trees and settled into them on the east side of Monarch Pass near Garfield, Colorado. All three occupants, who were identified as pilots, sustained no injuries.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical performance of the aircraft during the climb phase. The pilot stated that the aircraft would not climb above 10,300 feet despite efforts to gain altitude necessary to clear the mountain pass.