What happened
While performing an approach to runway 27, the pilot observed that the aircraft was flying lower than desired and that the glideslope was shallower than the intended flight path. In an attempt to correct the descent, the pilot increased engine power. During this phase of flight, the aircraft encountered turbulence that caused the nose to pitch upward.
Following this disturbance, the pilot worked to stabilize the aircraft's attitude. However, upon assessing the situation, the pilot determined that the aircraft was at an altitude and distance from the terrain that made it impossible to climb out of the valley to reach the runway. Consequently, the decision was made to execute an immediate landing in the trees located below the flight path.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the turbulence encounter. While the precise origin of the atmospheric disturbance could not be identified, the investigation considered the possibility that rotors or downward air currents moving over a nearby escarpment were present during the approach. The investigation focused on how these aerodynamic conditions influenced the aircraft's pitch and flight profile during the shallow approach.