May 27, Roxbury, N.Y. / Taylorcraft BC-12D

At about 1450 eastern time, a Taylorcraft BC-12D encountered a reported downdraft and struck terrain during cruise flight. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The pilot was flying from Bloomsburg, Pa., to Freehold, N.Y. at about 2,000 feet msl when the flight got to an area of higher terrain. The pilot climbed to maintain 700 to 1,000 feet agl. As the airplane approached a 3,100-foot ridge at a 30-degree angle, the pilot encountered a downdraft that pushed the airplane into a tree.