SEDONA, AZ, USA
N737EA
CESSNA 172N
THE PILOT SAID HE SELECTED A STRAIGHT IN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 3 IN WINDS REPORTED FROM 030 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 25 KNOTS. DURING THE APPROACH THE PILOT SAID THAT A 'DOWNDRAFT BECAME APPARENT.' THE PILOT SAID HE CONTINUED THE APPROACH AND 'POWER WAS ADDED UNTIL THE POINT OF DROPPING BELOW THE GLIDE SLOPE WHEN FULL POWER WAS APPLIED AND GO AROUND PROCEDURES WERE IMMEDIATELY EXECUTED.' THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE TURNED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR A RIDGE, BUT THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO SINK AND COLLIDED WITH THE RIDGE ABOUT 50 YARDS SOUTHEAST OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPORT IS IN A VALLEY AND WAS CONSTRUCTED BY GRADING OFF THE TOP OF A HILL OR RIDGE. THE TERRAIN DROPS AWAY FROM THE RUNWAY ON ALL SIDES.
THE PILOTS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS DELAY IN EXECUTING A GO AROUND. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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