What happened
The flight was conducted for personal sightseeing purposes. During the operation, the pilot reported navigating over Capitol Peak, which has an elevation of 2,660 feet. At this location, the aircraft was flying approximately 400 to 500 feet above the surrounding terrain.
While in this area, the aircraft encountered a downdraft. The turbulence caused the right wing to impact a tree. Despite the collision, the pilot maintained control of the aircraft and continued the flight. The pilot proceeded to Olympia, Washington, where the flight concluded with a successful landing.
Findings
The primary factor in this incident was the encounter with a downdraft near Capitol Peak. This weather condition led to the right wing striking a tree. The pilot's decision to continue flying after the impact allowed for a safe landing at the intended destination.