HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 21, 1996, at about 0945 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N848LF, operated by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) as an instructional flight, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees approximately 100 feet below a ridge line near Richwood, West Virginia. The pilot, CAP Check Pilot, and one passenger were not injured. The local flight originated from Beckley, West Virginia, at 0835. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot, CAP Check Pilot and passenger stated that the pilot was flying his first student mission at the CAP's Mountain flying clinic. The CAP Check Pilot was in the right seat and was providing instruction on contour mountain searches. They were flying about 500 feet below a ridge, which was on their right. They said they were flying at about 70 knots with 10 degrees of flaps when the terrain began to rise in front of them. The Check Pilot directed the pilot to apply full power, climb and fly straight-ahead and that a turn or wingover would not help. The aircraft impact trees in a wings level climbing flight attitude. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION/DOCUMENTATION The aircraft came to rest inverted, hanging in the trees 12 feet above the ground. The left wing was separated just outboard of the left wing strut. Both wings and the empannage were wrinkled. No pre-existing damage was noted during the examination.