Incident Summary
A pilot reported that while flying in mountainous terrain at approximately 9,500 ft mean sea level (700 to 1,200 ft above the ground), the airplane encountered a downdraft. The pilot immediately turned away from the mountainside in a right turn, added full power, selected 10° of flaps, and pitched the nose up to maintain the airplane's maximum angle of climb airspeed (Vx). Subsequently, the pilot was unable to establish a climb and the airplane impacted wooded snow-covered terrain along the mountainside.
Aircraft Damage
The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Environmental Conditions
The calculated density altitude near the flight path was about 10,339 ft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Koch Chart, the airplane would have experienced a 50% decrease to the normal rate of climb.