Incident Overview
During final approach to Los Angeles Airport, an airplane experienced vortex turbulence and subsequently crashed. Both individuals on board were injured, with the passenger sustaining serious injuries. The approach was conducted with a 5-knot tailwind, and the airplane was flying downwind at the time.
Official Findings
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be a controlled collision with the ground on final approach due to vortex turbulence. Contributing factors identified in the investigation included improper in-flight decisions by the flight crew, the presence of a downwind condition, and a 5-knot tailwind.
Details
The accident occurred while the airplane was on its final approach segment. The encounter with vortex turbulence led to a loss of control, resulting in the aircraft impacting the ground. The exact nature of the vortex turbulence was not specified in the report, but it is described as a known phenomenon that can affect aircraft stability during approach and landing phases. The tailwind component, though relatively small, was noted as a contributing element, as it can increase the required landing distance and reduce the margin for error.