On September 1, 1999, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration N4366D) operated by Colorado Skyways was involved in an aviation accident near Villa Grove, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor's improper inflight decision to enter a narrow blind/box canyon, and his misjudgment of the vertical and lateral clearances. A factor was the downdrafts. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An FBI pilot sustained injuries after his aircraft collided with tree tops during a mountain flying training exercise involving box canyon turnarounds.
What happened
An FBI pilot was participating in agency-sponsored mountain flying instruction alongside two other special agents who were flying in separate aircraft. During the session, the instructor announced that the group would practice maneuvering within box canyons. Shortly after this announcement, observers noted white smoke originating from the side of a mountain.
Investigation evidence indicates that the pilot's airplane struck tree tops while executing a steep left descending turn. The incident occurred in what was described as an extremely tight box canyon environment.
Findings
The accident occurred during a training exercise focused on confined area maneuvers. The terrain constraints of the box canyon likely contributed to the difficulty of maintaining safe clearance from obstacles.
What happened in the 1 Sept 1999 Piper PA-28-181 accident near Villa Grove, CO?
An FBI pilot sustained injuries after his aircraft collided with tree tops during a mountain flying training exercise involving box canyon turnarounds.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 1 Sept 1999 involved a Piper PA-28-181, registration N4366D, operated by Colorado Skyways, at Villa Grove, CO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The flight instructor's improper inflight decision to enter a narrow blind/box canyon, and his misjudgment of the vertical and lateral clearances. A factor was the downdrafts.
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