Accident Narrative
According to data from a handheld GPS unit, the pilot flew up a valley at low altitude over upsloping mountainous terrain along the flight route. The airplane was unable to outclimb the rising terrain and struck the mountainside nearly perpendicular to its face at an elevation of 8,100 feet mean sea level. The impact occurred on a 20-degree upsloping slope while the pilot was maneuvering the airplane during an attempted reverse course maneuver.
Pilot Background
In January 2000, both pilots began primary flight training at a Texas-based flight school. They were issued Private Pilot certificates in March 2000 and had each received approximately 6 hours of dual cross-country flight training. Neither pilot had received training in high-density altitude operations or mountain flying.
Performance and Terrain Analysis
The airplane possessed the published performance capability to overfly the mountainous terrain. However, under high density altitude standard atmospheric conditions, its maximum rate of climb was reduced to about 380 feet per minute at 62 knots indicated airspeed (70 knots true airspeed), equating to approximately 326 feet per nautical mile. Within the 3 nautical miles leading to the accident site, the terrain elevation increased from 7,100 to 8,100 feet mean sea level, a gradient of about 333 feet per nautical mile. The airplane's climb rate ability was therefore less than the slope of the terrain.
Wreckage Examination
No evidence of any airframe or engine mechanical malfunction was noted during the on-scene wreckage examination.