Incident Narrative
The aircraft was circling approximately 200 feet above the trees. The pilot initiated a climbing turn. After leveling the wings, the aircraft began to descend. The pilot applied full engine power and eased the control stick forward, lowering the aircraft's nose slightly. When he pulled back on the flight control, the aircraft continued to descend and eventually made contact with the trees.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that he was only able to move the control stick through about 50% of its normal travel range when he attempted to level the aircraft. He believed that the bottom rear seat cushion may have slid forward, as it had done on previous occasions, thereby restricting the control stick's movement.
Reported Cause
According to the pilot, the restricted control stick travel was likely caused by the forward slippage of the bottom rear seat cushion, which interfered with the stick's full range of motion.