On August 18, 1995, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (registration N85115) operated by Pietsch Flying Service was involved in an aviation accident near Ardoch, United States of America in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command's continuing flight into adverse weather. Factors were the pilot-in-command's failure to obtain a weather observation and the adverse weather. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
After deplaning passengers in Thief River Falls, a pilot eager to return to Minot departed without a weather briefing. The aircraft encountered a thunderstorm and microburst, resulting in loss of control.
Flight Details
After completing an air taxi flight and deplaning passengers at Thief River Falls, the pilot was reportedly anxious to return to his base in Minot to prepare for another trip the following day. The return leg departed within a few minutes after arrival at Thief River Falls.
Weather Conditions
There was no record of a weather briefing obtained for the flight. Observations of Doppler radar by the University of North Dakota, along with a meteorological study conducted by the Safety Board, indicated that the airplane penetrated a thunderstorm at the time control was lost. The aircraft encountered the center of a microburst and was located directly under the downdraft.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the incident was the pilot-in-command's continuing flight into adverse weather. Contributing factors were the pilot-in-command's failure to obtain a weather observation and the adverse weather conditions.