The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear terrain. Factors were exceeding the airplane's maximum allowable gross weight, and downdrafts and turbulence associated with wind flowing across a mountain ridge.
— NTSB Determination
The air taxi pilot and passenger were approaching a mountain ridge from below. Both occupants described conditions favoring a downslope wind and turbulence at the ridge. The pilot attempted to turn when he realized they would not clear the ridge, but the airplane descended and impacted terrain. The airplane was estimated to weigh 1,827 pounds at the time of the last takeoff. The maximum takeoff weight is 1,760 pounds. The elevation at the accident site was 4,500 feet msl.
The air taxi pilot and passenger were approaching a mountain ridge from below. Both occupants described conditions favoring a downslope wind and turbulence at the ridge. The pilot attempted to turn when he realized they would not clear the ridge, but the airplane descended and impacted terrain. The airplane was…
The accident on 1997-07-08 involved a Piper PA-18-160, registration N3952Z, at Cantwell, AK.
The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear terrain. Factors were exceeding the airplane's maximum allowable gross weight, and downdrafts and turbulence associated with wind flowing across a mountain ridge.
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