Mountain Flight Encounter with Severe Weather Leads to Forced Landing (N4598S)

Pre-Flight Planning and Departure Before the flight, the pilot reviewed weather conditions and obtained a briefing from a Flight Service Station. The briefing indicated high winds and mountain obscuration along the intended route. To avoid these adverse conditions, the pilot departed on a westerly heading and climbed to 12,500 feet, rather than the usual 8,500 feet, while crossing mountainous terrain on a northwesterly heading. ## In-Flight Encounter and Loss of Control Approximately thirty minutes into the flight, the aircraft encountered strong downdrafts and wind shear on the lee side of the mountains. The pilot applied full power and initiated a 180-degree turn but was unable to maintain altitude. The airplane descended into a cloud layer and continued to experience severe turbulence. The aircraft subsequently stalled and entered a spin. The pilot momentarily recovered from the spin, but the airplane again stalled and entered a second spin. ## Exit from Clouds and Forced Landing The airplane exited the clouds at approximately 500 feet above ground level. The pilot then executed a forced landing into rising terrain.