On June 25, 2006, a Mooney M-20F (registration N2987L) was involved in an aviation accident near Summit, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during a climb. Encounter with a severe downdraft, and mountainous terrain were factors. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
While climbing out of a valley, an aircraft crossing a ridge encountered a severe downdraft. Despite full power and nose-down input, it could not outclimb the sinking air and descended into terrain in a wings-level attitude.
Incident Details
During a climb out of a valley in mountainous terrain, the aircraft was crossing over a ridge when it encountered a severe downdraft. The sudden downward airflow affected the aircraft's ability to maintain altitude.
Pilot Actions
As the aircraft began to sink, the pilot responded by applying full power, lowering the nose, and keeping the wings level. These actions are typical for attempting to counteract a loss of lift or altitude in such conditions.
Outcome
Despite the pilot's inputs, the aircraft did not climb at a rate greater than the downdraft's sink rate. It eventually descended into the terrain while maintaining a wings-level position. According to the pilot, the aircraft's engine and flight controls functioned normally throughout the event, with no reported mechanical issues.