Departure and Initial Flight
The pilot of a Cessna 180 departed from an airport characterized by high density altitude, with the intention of following a Cessna 185 for a local sightseeing flight. The aircraft was described as heavily loaded.
Witness Observations
A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) on the ground observed the aircraft wallowing through the air after departure. The aircraft appeared to a witness to be in slow flight, at a speed just above a stall, with no appreciable rate of climb.
Final Maneuver and Impact
The aircraft turned out of the traffic pattern toward rising terrain. Subsequently, it stalled and spun into the terrain.
Investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances of the flight. No probable cause was determined in the source material.