Incident Details
A pilot conducting a wildlife survey flight reported that after approximately 2.5 hours airborne, the observer expressed a desire to take a break. At the time, the flight was over a high mesa covered in short grass, which the pilot deemed a suitable landing area. The touchdown was smooth, but during the rollout, the airplane encountered undulating terrain and began to bounce.
The pilot responded by adding full power to abort the landing. The aircraft's speed increased, but it was unable to become airborne before impacting a bush. The airplane then traveled several hundred feet down a ravine before coming to an abrupt stop. The main landing gear collapsed, and both wings sustained substantial damage.
Pilot's Account
The pilot estimated that the density altitude at the landing site was about 8,950 feet. He reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the accident could have been avoided had he "made the decision not to land off-airport in that area at such density altitudes."