Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary SEA89LA159

ATLANTA, ID, USA

Aircraft #1

N5451B

CESSNA 182

Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE OVER FLEW THE RUNWAY AT 500-600 FT AGL TO DETERMINE WIND DIRECTION AND THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS. AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT, LOST 300-400 FT, AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING WITH A TAILWIND OF 8-10 MPH. THE STRIP IS LOCATED IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA WITH HIGH TIMBERED RIDGES THAT LIMIT MANEUVERING. ELEVATION IS 5,500 FT MSL.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILUE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE DOWNDRAFT CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE DOWNWIND, DOWNDRAFT, AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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