N314FR – CESSNA 182S – 2011-07-19 NTSB Accident Report

On July 19, 2011, a Cessna 182S (N314FR) was involved in an incident near Meeker, CO. 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 a downdraft, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.

The pilot departed on a local sightseeing flight. About 5 miles south of the departure airport and at an altitude of at least 1,000 feet above the terrain, the airplane encountered a strong downdraft. The airplane collided with the tops of several trees before the pilot could arrest the descent. The pilot was able to regain control of the airplane and return to the departure airport without further incident. The pilot added there were no preimpact problems with the airplane prior to the collision with the trees. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator as a result of the collision with the tree tops.

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN11CA492. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N314FR.