The pilot reported that, after the skies cleared, he departed the airport following another airplane as a flight of two. During the flight they approached a ridge with no significant turbulence or issues. He added that suddenly they were in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and the lead airplane disappeared. He immediately changed course 10° to the left, and as he transitioned to instrument flying, the airplane encountered a downdraft. Shortly thereafter, the windscreen "filled with trees", that he estimated were less than a hundred feet away. He pitched the nose up to dissipate energy, and the airplane impacted the trees.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot recommended that he should have flown his original flight plan, which was at a lower altitude, and he could have avoided unexpected and unpredicted winds and IMC conditions.