HENDERSON, NV, USA
N3184
EAA CHAPTER 163 BREEZY RLU-1A
AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A DRY LAKE BED, THE PILOT INTENDED TO FLY TO THE AIRPORT. WHILE CRUISING EN ROUTE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AT A LOW ALTITUDE, HE ENCOUNTERED STRONG WINDS, DOWNDRAFTS, AND RISING TERRAIN. THE PILOT FURTHER REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED OVER THE FIRST RIDGE. APPROACHING THE SECOND RIDGE, HE ENCOUNTERED 'A SEVERE DOWN DRAFT' AND THE AIRPLANE PANCAKED INTO THE UP-SLOPING ROCKY GROUND. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS.
On October 21, 1995, at 1530 hours Pacific daylight time, an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Breezy RLU-1A, N3184, collided with terrain about 10 miles south-southeast of Henderson, Nevada. The airplane was owned by the EAA and was substantially damaged. The certificated commercial pilot received serious injuries, and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight originated from the El Dorado Dry Lake Bed about 1525. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board that, after taking off, he intended to fly to the North Las Vegas Air Terminal. While en route, he encountered strong winds, down drafts, and rising terrain. The pilot further reported that the airplane climbed over the first ridge. Approaching the second ridge, he encountered "a severe down draft" and was not able to climb over the rising terrain. The airplane pancaked into the up-sloping rocky ground.
the pilot's failure to maintain a proper cruise altitude and his inadequate in-flight planning. Contributing factors were encountering rising terrain and a downdraft.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
