What happened
The pilot initiated a flight into a confined canyon environment. Upon entering, the pilot intended to execute a reversal maneuver to exit the way he had entered. However, the pilot determined that the canyon width was insufficient to accommodate a standard 180-degree turn for the aircraft's turning radius.
Consequently, the pilot elected to continue flying forward up the length of the canyon while attempting to gain altitude. The terrain in this area rose at a gradient that exceeded the aircraft's maximum climb performance capability. As the aircraft could not clear the rising ground, the pilot attempted to flare the aircraft upon impact with the mountainside.
The investigation
The physical examination of the wreckage indicated that the aircraft collided with the mountain terrain. The flight path was consistent with an attempt to navigate a narrow valley where vertical clearance was lost due to performance limitations relative to the topography.
Findings
- insufficient climb performance
The primary factor in this accident was the rising terrain exceeding the aircraft's ability to gain altitude. The pilot's decision to continue forward into a narrowing and rising canyon, rather than turning back immediately or selecting a wider route, led to the loss of control and subsequent impact.