SENTINEL BUTTE, ND, USA
N3546Q
CESSNA 188
THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP NEAR SENTINEL BUTTE, ND, EN ROUTE TO BEACH, ND. HE SAID THERE WAS A NARROW CLOUD AHEAD, APPROXIMATELY 5-8 MILES LONG, AND EMITTING LIGHTNING, BUT IT DID NOT APPEAR TO HIM TO THREATEN FLIGHT SAFETY. THE PILOT SAID HE SUDDENLY HIT TURBULENCE AND THE WINGS ROLLED VERTICAL, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO RECOVER. THE AIRCRAFT THEN HIT A DOWNDRAFT. THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER AND ONE NOTCH OF FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT BRUSHED SOME TREE TOPS, THEN HIT A HILL, TEARING OFF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE AIRCRAFT THEN HIT THE GROUND AND SKIDDED INTO ANOTHER HILL. THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED AND THE AIRCRAFT CAUGHT FIRE. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. THE PILOT SAID HE NEVER FLEW UNDER THE CLOUD.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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