1989-04-22: Stinson 108 — Waterman, David K. — Avalon, CA

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. THE AIRPLANE LOST ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT OPTED TO GO-AROUND. A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE, DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE LOST MORE ALTITUDE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT OF CESSNA THAT LANDED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE N97169 STATED THAT THE UNICOM OPERATOR REPORTED POSSIBLE DOWNDRAFTS ON FINAL APPROACH. WHILE ON FINAL THE PILOT DID ENCOUNTER THESE DOWNDRAFTS BUT WAS ABLE TO LAND SUCCESSFULLY.