Schweizer 269C crash near Las Vegas, NV, United States

According to the pilot, while on a sightseeing flight he flew over a mesa and commenced a hover maneuver about 12 feet above a ridge line. When the wind speed increased he attempted to depart the area. The pilot stated that he encountered a strong downdraft in the estimated 20-knot wind. While flying toward lower elevation terrain on the lee side of the mesa in an effort at departing the area, the helicopter's skids impacted rocks and the helicopter rolled over.