On September 3, 1988, a Cessna 180B (registration N5085E) was involved in an aviation accident near Dixie, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to continue the approach in deteriorating wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to wind shear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft crashed after encountering sudden wind shear during a second approach to a high-altitude airport, striking a tree with the left wing.
What happened
The pilot was conducting an approach to land at a high-altitude airport. Due to operational decisions, the pilot elected to execute a go-around and attempt a landing at a slower airspeed. During the second approach, as the aircraft neared the runway, it encountered sudden wind shear. This aerodynamic disturbance caused the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly and bank sharply to the left. Subsequently, the left wing struck a tree, leading to a crash.
The investigation
Investigators computed the density altitude at the airport to be approximately 9,000 feet. This high-density altitude condition significantly impacted the aircraft's performance capabilities during the critical phase of flight.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to continue the approach in deteriorating wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to wind shear.
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