On June 26, 1991, a Boeing E75N1 (registration N45747) operated by Hays, Carl W. was involved in an aviation accident near Vail, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot encountered a severe downdraft, driving the airplane into the ground. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Soviet aerobatic champion piloting an open-cockpit biplane on a goodwill flight crashed near Vail Pass after encountering a severe downdraft, according to investigators.
Flight Details
The flight was the beginning of a two-month around-the-world goodwill flight in an open-cockpit biplane. The trip commemorated a similar feat accomplished by two Russian pilots in 1937. On board was the 1982 Soviet aerobatic champion, who was also the current coach of the Soviet aerobatic team.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft was flying below the ridge line, approaching Vail Pass (elevation 10,603 feet MSL) on the north side of Interstate 70 at 9,200 feet. The pilot reported encountering a severe downdraft that drove the airplane into the ground.
Weather Conditions
A review of weather data revealed eight pilot reports (PIREPs) filed for moderate to severe turbulence over the Colorado mountains at the time of the accident.
Probable cause
The pilot encountered a severe downdraft, driving the airplane into the ground.