Training aircraft lands in river following encounter with downdraft

Casualties unknown • Kotzebue, AK, US

A flight training session ended in an accident when a downdraft caused a training aircraft to land in a river during a southbound approach.

What happened

A certificated flight instructor was conducting flight instruction and recurrent training for a second pilot, who held a commercial pilot certificate. Prior to the accident, the crew had successfully completed two landings on the same sand bar.

During the final approach to the south, the second pilot was manipulating the controls when the aircraft encountered a downduring. This caused the airplane to land in a river just short of the intended touchdown point. The aircraft came to rest upside down in approximately three feet of water. Both pilots were not injured.

At the time of the accident, the wind was reported as being from 180 degrees at 10 knots.

Probable cause

The aircraft encountered a downdraft during the final approach to a sand bar, resulting in an undershot landing into a river.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1998-05-29 Cessna 185 accident near Kotzebue, AK?

A flight training session ended in an accident when a downdraft caused a training aircraft to land in a river during a southbound approach.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-05-29 involved a Cessna 185, registration N4761Q, at Kotzebue, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft encountered a downdraft during the final approach to a sand bar, resulting in an undershot landing into a river.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X09982. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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