DEN05CA136

While attempting to climb over rising terrain, the airplane encountered downdrafts, stalled, and impacted terrain. The pilot flew the airplane at an altitude of 10,600 feet msl toward the leeward side of a ridge after departure from the local airport. The pilot reported the airplane had a "good rate of climb" until reaching the ridge line and then encountered downdrafts. Upon reaching the ridge, the airplane stopped climbing and began a descent. The pilot raised the nose of the airplane in an attempt to clear the ridge and he heard the stall warning horn. Subsequently, the airplane stalled and impacted terrain approximately 200 feet below the ridge line.

On September 9, 2005, approximately 0730 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T207A single-engine airplane, N207GR, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control near Telluride, Colorado. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Blue Sky Telluride, LLC., Telluride, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), Telluride, Colorado, at 0715, and was destined for Montrose, Colorado.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site and interviewed the pilot, the pilot flew the airplane at an altitude of 10,600 feet msl toward the leeward side of a ridge after departure from TEX. The pilot reported the airplane had a "good rate of climb" until reaching the ridge line. Upon reaching the ridge, the airplane stopped climbing and began a descent. The pilot raised the nose of the airplane in an attempt to clear the ridge, and he heard the stall warning horn. Subsequently, the airplane stalled and impacted terrain approximately 200 feet below the ridge line. Pilot stated the airplane was "developing good power, but that it just stopped climbing and began to descend."

According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, he executed a climbing right turn toward rising terrain. The airplane was in "climbing configuration" and maintained a 1,000 foot per minute rate-of-climb. At an altitude of approximately 11,000 feet, the airplane experienced "significant downdrafts forcing the plane to lose altitude at a rapid rate." The pilot realized the airplane would not clear the rising terrain and he initiated a left turn to reverse course. The pilot stated, "With the continuing downdraft and loss of lift, I was unable to clear the terrain and made a forced landing in a clearing below the peak."