On April 1, 1987, a Cessna 172D (registration N2510Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Oliver Springs, TN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft encountered heavy turbulence and strong crosswinds on short final, prompting a go-around that led to impact with trees in mountainous terrain.
What happened
The pilot reported that the aircraft was on short final approach to his private airstrip when it encountered heavy turbulence and a strong gusty crosswind. In response to these conditions, the pilot initiated a go-around maneuver. During the turning climbout, the aircraft flew through and over mountainous terrain where the pilot described the turbulence as extremely heavy. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, falling below a ridge line into a hollow area where it impacted trees.
Findings
The accident occurred during the final approach phase of flight in mountainous terrain. Contributing factors included the encounter with heavy turbulence and strong gusty crosswinds near the ground, which necessitated a go-around. The extreme turbulence experienced during the climbing turn likely contributed to the loss of control or inability to maintain altitude over the ridge.
What happened in the 1 Apr 1987 Cessna 172D accident near Oliver Springs, TN?
An aircraft encountered heavy turbulence and strong crosswinds on short final, prompting a go-around that led to impact with trees in mountainous terrain.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 1 Apr 1987 involved a Cessna 172D, registration N2510Y, at Oliver Springs, TN.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…