What happened
While performing a low pass over a remote hunting strip, the pilot attempted to execute a go-around by adding power. During this maneuver, the airplane's nose pitched up steeply. A crosswind then caused the aircraft to turn and fly into a canyon.
In an attempt to avoid a stall, the pilot reduced power and pushed the nose down. However, the aircraft subsequently encountered a downdraft that pushed the plane into the trees. The pilot had purchased the aircraft only two to three days prior to the accident and had approximately six hours of flight time in this specific type.
Findings
The pilot reported a total of 500 flight hours, though only five of those hours were conducted with an instructor. The investigation noted that several modifications had been performed on the aircraft, including two unapproved modifications. The pilot stated that his lack of familiarity with the airplane's unusual handling characteristics contributed to the accident.