Cessna 182T | N434CP

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot maneuvered the aircraft at such an altitude, speed, and bank angle which ultimately placed the aircraft in an area of mountain wave or extreme downdraft condition. This eventually led to an aerodynamic stall condition, due to the pilot attempting to reduce the rate of descent in the very last seconds before impact. The flight was operating at a high gross weight, with two pilots and a photographer on board, and maneuvering to capture images necessary for the American Red Cross relief efforts. It is suspected that the pilot became distracted in gusty, turbulent conditions and turned the aircraft to enter an area of rising terrain and downdraft on the downwind side of a sharp ridge, during a period of known high winds and turbulence. Of the three persons on board, one survived and provided this narrative: “The survivor thought that the pilot was returning to the FNL base. He stated that the airplane was maneuvering over trees, about 1,500 AGL, heading toward higher terrain (a ridgeline). Within seconds, he heard the pilot say “Oh [expletive].” The pilot lowered the nose and started to turn. He stated that the airplane seemed to drop, and that the airplane encountered a downdraft. He heard the airplane hitting trees, and the next thing that he remembered was being on the ground. It is not suspected that loss of thrust or power plant problems contributed to the descent into terrain.

NTSB: NONE

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to be aware of and honor mountainous terrain altitude minimums, and avoid flying too low in areas of suspected mountain wave, and downdraft. The DTSB recommends that all similar government organizations define and publish department policies and maintain accurate pilot training and currency records for each pilot, and that they require quarterly continuing education training by qualified organization check airman personnel. The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft be aware of severe turbulence and possible downdrafts when operating in the vicinity of mountainous terrain.

NTSB: NONE