ANCHORAGE, AK, USA
N2399S
PIPER PA-18-150
The pilot was on a local flight and was returning to Lake Hood Seaplane Base. He stated that as he approached a local pass (named Powerline Pass), the airplane encountered a downdraft. He was unable to stop the descent and the airplane crashed into the terrain on the east side of the pass. Local area winds in the valley, 12 miles west of the accident site, were from the north at 5 knots. The pilot could not estimate the winds in the pass.
On October 24, 1995, at 1745 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N2399S, registered to the pilot's father, and operated by the pilot, experienced a downdraft while attempting to fly through "Powerline Pass" which is located 12 miles east of Anchorage, and crashed into the east side of the pass. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Anchorage, Alaska, for a local flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. During a telephone conversation with the pilot on October 25, 1995, he stated that he was attempting to cross through the pass east to west. As he neared the pass, a severe downdraft started to push the airplane toward the ground. He was unable to recover and the airplane struck the ground. The pilot could not estimate the winds at the accident site. The Lake Hood Automatic Terminal Information System (ATIS)information showed that the airport winds were from the north at 5 knots. There were no weather or wind reporting facilities near the pass.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from mountainous/hilly terrain.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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