SOUTH LAKE TAHO, CA, USA
N20016
CESSNA 172M
THE STUDENT PILOT AND A PASSENGER DEPARTED THE SOUTH LAKE TAHOE AIRPORT AT 1515 PST. HE STATED THAT HE HAD CLIMBED TO ABOUT 1200 FT AGL WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED EXTREME TURBULENCE AND DOWNDRAFTS. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT. A HELICOPTER PILOT THAT WAS IN THE AREA JUST AFTER THE ACCIDENT ALSO REPORTED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE. THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WAS AT AN ELEVATION OF 6264 FT MSL NEAR MOUNTAINS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH LIGHTS TO DISPLAY COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENTS AT NIGHT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
