Accident Details
On April 13, 2008, at 1510 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N945RH) collided with mountainous terrain 26 miles northwest of Dubois, Wyoming. The private pilot operated the flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at Douglas, Wyoming, at 1300.
Narrative
The pilot reported following Highway 287 northwest at 10,000 feet mean sea level (msl). He crossed the Togwatee Pass between 700 and 1,000 feet above ground level (agl), climbing slowly. On the west side of the pass, approaching the base of some cliffs, the airplane encountered a strong downdraft. The airspeed dropped rapidly and the airplane began to descend. The pilot attempted to maintain 85 knots and climb, but the airplane continued to lose altitude. He checked the engine instruments and noted no degradation of engine performance. The airplane continued descending, and the pilot executed a forced landing approximately in the center of the valley ahead.
Post-Accident Actions
The pilot and passenger broke out a window and egressed the airplane. They hiked to the top of the nearest ridge and used a cell phone to call for assistance.
Weather Information
The nearest automatic weather observation facility was Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyoming, 39 miles southwest of the accident location. At 1457, the winds at Jackson Hole were from 170 degrees at 18 knots.