ESSEX, CA, USA
N1681J
PIPER PA-28-140
THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A RETURN LEG CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE FLIGHT PATH WAS INTO STEEPLY RISING TERRAIN IN A BOX CANYON. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR MOUNTAIN WAVES WITH HEAVY DOWNDRAFTS ON THE LEE SIDE OF MOUNTAINS. THE AIRCRAFT WRECAKGE WAS FOUND ON THE LEE SIDE OF A 7,000 FT RIDGE. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND.
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO ENSURE TERRAIN CLEARANCE WHILE MOUNTAIN FLYING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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