Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during a flight, he maneuvered a near maximum gross weight aircraft in close proximity to a ski slope. According to the pilot, "I didn't leave myself an exit." Subsequently, the pilot applied full power in an attempt to outclimb the rising terrain, but the aircraft impacted a knoll.
Performance Conditions
The density altitude at the time of the incident was computed to be 12,120 feet MSL. Performance charts for the aircraft indicate that under those conditions, the aircraft would climb at approximately 265 feet per minute, and the engine would develop no more than 69% of its rated power, which is 230 brake horsepower.