On July 12, 1992, a Piper PA-22-108 (registration N4754Z) operated by Kelly Wilson was involved in an aviation accident near Beavertown, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain altitude while encountering a downdraft, which resulted in the aircraft striking the east side of a mountain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot turning back due to darkening skies encountered a downdraft that prevented altitude maintenance, resulting in a collision with the east side of a mountain.
What happened
The pilot was approaching his intended destination when he observed the sky darkening significantly to the north of the airport. In response to these deteriorating weather conditions, the pilot made the decision to turn around and return to the departure point. Shortly after initiating this maneuver, the aircraft encountered a downdraft. The pilot reported being unable to maintain altitude during this encounter. Consequently, the aircraft descended and struck the east side of a mountain.
Findings
The primary factor in this accident was the downdraft which prevented the pilot from maintaining flight level. The decision to turn back into deteriorating weather likely contributed to the loss of control or situational awareness necessary to avoid the terrain.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain altitude while encountering a downdraft, which resulted in the aircraft striking the east side of a mountain.
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…