Summary
On December 12, 1993, a Aero Commander 100-180 (N3718X) was involved in an incident near El Paso, TX. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE.
On December 12, 1993, at 0924 mountain standard time, an Aero Commander 100-180, N3718X, was substantially damaged following an encounter with severe turbulence while in cruise flight near El Paso, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the ferry flight.
According to the pilot, he was in level flight at 6,500 feet while en route from Deming, New Mexico, to the Tradewinds Airport, near Amarillo, Texas, when he lost control of the airplane, approximately a half a mile after crossing a ridge line running perpendicular to his route of flight. The pilot further stated that he lost 250 feet of altitude during the encounter with clear air turbulence.
This incident is documented in NTSB report FTW94LA048. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3718X.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO CLEAR AIR TURBULENCE.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On December 12, 1993, at 0924 mountain standard time, an Aero Commander 100-180, N3718X, was substantially damaged following an encounter with severe turbulence while in cruise flight near El Paso, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the ferry flight.
According to the pilot, he was in level flight at 6,500 feet while en route from Deming, New Mexico, to the Tradewinds Airport, near Amarillo, Texas, when he lost control of the airplane, approximately a half a mile after crossing a ridge line running perpendicular to his route of flight. The pilot further stated that he lost 250 feet of altitude during the encounter with clear air turbulence. After recovering, the pilot diverted to the El Paso International Airport, where an uneventful landing was made.
Damage to the airplane included a cracked windshield, buckling to the leading edge of the right wing, and collapsing of the two inner ribs of the right wing.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW94LA048