On May 9, 1993, a Piper PA-36 (registration N56542) operated by Fultz, Wilbur R. was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Benton, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain altitude while flying under a squall line. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot maintained control during a squall line encounter, executing a safe landing in an open field despite severe downdrafts and loss of altitude.
What happened
During the return leg of an aerial application mission, the aircraft was operating at a low altitude of approximately 300 feet above ground level. While cruising, the flight crew encountered a squall line, resulting in exposure to severe turbulence and significant downdrafts. The intensity of the atmospheric conditions caused the pilot to lose altitude control, with the aircraft descending rapidly to approximately 20 feet AGL.
Upon recognizing the situation, the pilot reduced engine power and executed a landing in an open field. During the subsequent ground roll, the nose of the aircraft pitched down before the airplane eventually slid to a complete stop. No further damage or injuries were reported from this sequence of events.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain altitude while flying under a squall line.
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