Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

The pilot departed on a local sightseeing flight. About 5 miles south of the departure airport and at an altitude of at least 1,000 feet above the terrain, the airplane encountered a strong downdraft. The airplane collided with the tops of several trees before the pilot could arrest the descent. The pilot was able to regain control of the airplane and return to the departure airport without further incident. The pilot added there were no preimpact problems with the airplane prior to the collision with the trees. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator as a result of the collision with the tree tops. The pilot's inadvertent flight into a downdraft, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.