20091223053279A

Pilot report that he was performing aerial infrard imagery in an area that was about 4 miles east of Albion, ID during the evening of 12/23/2009. At an altitude of 2500AGL. The pilot reported that he initially had a target on the easten side of the ridge line where the accident occurred. Upon completing imagery of that initial target, the pilot proceeded to cross the ridge line form the east to west, about 800' to 1,000. AGL the pilot stated that the ground speed at that time was about 75KTS iasas the airplane approached the summit ot the ridge, the airplane suddenly banked about 90 degrees to the left. As the pilot recovered to a level attitude, the airplane banked to the right about 60 degrees to the right. As the pilot recovered to straight and level flight, the pilot attempted to turn away from the ridge, however, the airplane descended into the snow covered ridge. The pilot said that the aircraft came to rest on the eastern side of the ridge, about 50 yards from the top. The pilot indicated that at the time of the accident, there were no mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe. The pilot estimated the wind at the time of the accident to be from the west about 20 to 30 knots.