Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The airplane’s encounter with clear air turbulence, which caused a momentary loss of control and minor damage to the airplane.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The commercial pilot was maneuvering around clouds during a skydiving operation when the airplane abruptly made a steep bank to the left and continued to dive. He made control corrections to recover the airplane and soon after landed uneventfully. The pilot believes that he hit a patch of turbulence that caused the airplane to maneuver in such a manner. The pilot was a new skydiving pilot and was inexperienced with flying an airplane loaded with jumpers. The post incident examination revealed minor damage to the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN12IA385