Accident Overview
A private pilot, who had received his pilot's license six days before the incident, was operating an airplane with his wife, father, and sister aboard. The flight ended when the aircraft collided with a large spruce tree while in a steep left bank, approximately 60 feet above the ground. After the impact, the airplane slid down 10 feet and became entangled in the tree's branches about 50 feet above the ground.
Pilot Background
The pilot had logged a total of 66.5 flight hours, of which 4.6 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. He had also received 4.1 hours of dual instruction in mountain course/high altitude flying.
Sequence of Events
Hunters in the area reported hearing an airplane flying in the valley, followed by a loud noise. Search teams were guided to the wreckage by the activation of the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter.
Aircraft Performance and Loading
Investigators calculated that at the time of the accident, the airplane's aft center-of-gravity limit was slightly exceeded. Performance charts indicated that, under the prevailing conditions, the airplane was capable of climbing at a rate of about 240 feet per minute.