Accident Details
The pilot reported that during maneuvering flight, the aircraft encountered downdrafts, leading to a loss of altitude and airspeed. In response, the pilot initiated a precautionary landing on a nearby road. During the landing, the right main landing gear touched down just short of the road surface. Subsequently, the pilot lost control of the aircraft, and it came to rest after impacting a barbed wire fence.
Environmental Conditions
The pilot estimated the outside air temperature at the crash site, located at 8,500 feet mean sea level (MSL), to be 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The density altitude was estimated at 11,500 feet. Surface weather observations from Rawlins and Laramie, situated west and east of the accident site respectively, reported strong southwesterly winds at 20 knots at the time of the accident.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft sustained damage from the impact with the barbed wire fence.