Low-Altitude Maneuvering · NTSB ANC10FA004
CESSNA A185E — Healy, AK
| Date | October 14, 2009 |
| Location | Healy, AK |
| Aircraft | CESSNA A185E |
| Purpose of flight | Aerial Observation |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Maneuvering-low-alt flying Turbulence encounter |
| Pilot age | 35 |
| Pilot total time | 4,400 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | 55 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1, 1 serious |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Downdraft-Contributed to outcome
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Turbulence-Terrain induced turbulence-Effect on operation
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Downdraft-Effect on operation
- Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Mountainous/hilly terrain-Contributed to outcome
What happened
The pilot reported that he was flying a private wildlife biologist over an area of a national park to observe and track wolves using radio telemetry. The pilot stated that during the initial 2 hours of the flight there was no significant turbulence, only what he characterized as light chop. The pilot indicated that just prior to the accident he flew over a ridge that rose to about 500 to 800 feet above the ground. When the pilot maneuvered the airplane to reverse direction toward the ridge, it encountered turbulence and downdrafts that increased the airplane’s bank angle and pushed it towards the ground, ultimately causing it to strike trees and the ground. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, a warning had been issued to airmen for the possibility of severe or greater turbulence, severe icing, low-level wind shear, and instrument flight conditions in the general area at the time of the accident.