Accident Details
The accident occurred while the pilot was maneuvering an aircraft through a canyon in a mountainous area with sharply rising terrain. The canyon provided insufficient room for the aircraft to maneuver. The pilot reported maintaining an airspeed just above a stall while attempting to fly through the canyon. The aircraft subsequently impacted trees and then the terrain at a point where the terrain rose abruptly.
Density Altitude and Weight
The accident site elevation was 5,300 feet MSL. The density altitude computed for that elevation was over 10,400 feet MSL. Additionally, the aircraft was approximately 24 pounds over its maximum gross weight at takeoff.
Pilot and Maintenance History
The pilot's last biennial flight review was more than nine years before the accident. The pilot stated that there were no pre-impact malfunctions or failures. However, the aircraft had not undergone an annual inspection since January 1985.