Accident Details
During a flight intended to scout for game for a future hunting trip, the pilot flew the airplane up a slope. While ascending, the pilot observed wind moving the tree tops and estimated the wind speed at 15 knots. According to the pilot, the wind was blowing over a bench — a flat area on the side of a mountain slope — which created a downdraft that the airplane could not outclimb.
Maneuver and Sequence
Unable to continue climbing, the pilot initiated a turn to proceed downslope. Approximately three-quarters of the way through the turn, the stall warning horn sounded. Shortly after, the airplane struck a tree, which slowed its forward motion, then impacted additional trees before finally crashing into alder bushes.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that the downdraft generated by the wind over the bench prevented the airplane from outclimbing, and that the subsequent turn led to a stall warning and collision with terrain. No other factors were cited by the pilot.