What happened
Shortly after departing from runway 35, the pilot of the Cessna (type not specified in source) reported that the aircraft settled and failed to climb. The pilot believed the aircraft had encountered a downdraft. Fearing the aircraft would not clear rising terrain ahead, the pilot executed a turn into the wind.
While the aircraft's climb performance improved after the maneuver, the pilot continued to feel as though the aircraft was in a downdraft. Realizing that ground contact was imminent, the pilot pulled the yoke full aft in an attempt to land uphill. The aircraft subsequently contacted the ground and encountered heavy brush, resulting in a nose-over and substantial damage. The pilot was not injured.
At the time of the accident, the aircraft's takeoff weight was 1,989 pounds, near its maximum gross takeoff weight of 2,000 pounds. Weather conditions included winds from 320 degrees magnetic at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots, with a temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The airport elevation was 4,217 feet MSL.