Primary finding
Probable cause
The flight instructor's operation at an altitude insufficient to clear obstacles in rising mountainous terrain. Factors were: high density altitude, diversion of the instructor's attention, and the rising terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The purpose of the flight was to give the pilot a mountain flying checkout. A pilot rated passenger was in the back seat observing. The instructor took control of the airplane and indicated he wanted to show both pilots a camp site where he had camped several weeks before. The instructor flew up a mountainous valley while the pilot operated a video camera. The passenger said they were flying at low altitude and below ridges rising on both sides of the airplane. Examination of the video tape corroborated statements made by the pilot and passenger, and depicted the events leading up to and including the impact. Computed density altitude was approximately 12,245 feet msl.
Source record
Factual narrative
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