Incident Overview
A certified flight instructor (CFI) was providing instruction to a student pilot during a training flight. Following a touch-and-go landing executed by the student, the CFI indicated that they would conduct mountain flying and directed the student to climb straight ahead over a ridge line. After the aircraft cleared the ridge, the CFI instructed the student to make a right turn into a canyon.
Sequence of Events
Upon entering the canyon, the CFI realized that they were in the wrong area and that the airplane would be unable to clear the ridge line immediately in front of them. The CFI then took control of the airplane and made a left turn toward the left side of the canyon. Following this, the CFI initiated a hard right turn and recognized that there was insufficient room to reverse the aircraft's direction. The CFI leveled the wings, and the airplane subsequently collided with trees.
Aftermath
The collision resulted in structural damage to the airplane, and it came to rest on the side of the ridge. The CFI reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane and that he was unfamiliar with the geographic area where the incident occurred.