SEA00LA158

While maneuvering to look at potential game hunting sites in mountainous/hilly terrain, the pilot spotted a herd of deer. He then executed a turn in order to head back toward the location where he had seen the herd. During the turn, he realized he was approaching terrain that was rising faster than he had expected. He therefore added full power and attempted to maneuver away from some trees that he was not sure he was going to be able to clear. While maneuvering to miss the trees, he noticed that the airspeed was '...too low (42-44 knots).' Before the pilot was able to take further action, the left wing dropped and the aircraft impacted the terrain while still at full power. Density altitude at the accident location was approximately 7,000 feet.

On August 13, 2000, approximately 0745 Pacific daylight time, a Maule M-5-235, N6269M, impacted the terrain while maneuvering to observe a heard of deer near Paulina, Oregon. The pilot and his passenger received minor injuries, and the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Portland-Troutdale Airport about one hour earlier, and was en route to Prineville Airport, Prineville, Oregon, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT, which was activated by the impact, assisted in the location of the accident site.

According to the pilot, who was looking for potential places to hunt game, he was flying down a valley at 65 to 70 knots with full flaps extended. Upon spotting a heard of deer, he began a left turn in order to "...go back in their direction." During the turn, he realized that he had turned toward terrain that was rising faster than he had expected. He then added full power, and attempted to maneuver away from some trees that he was not sure he was going to clear. As he attempted to turn toward a more open area, he noticed that his airspeed "...was too low (42-44 knots)." Before he was able to take any further action, the aircraft's left wing dropped, and the aircraft impacted the terrain while still at full power.

Based upon an altitude of 5,800 feet, a temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.00 inches of Mercury, the density altitude at the accident site was calculated to be approximately 7,000 feet.