Summary
On October 24, 2015, a Cessna A188A (N4401Q) was involved in an incident near Elberta, UT. 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 failure to compensate for wind while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in a collision with terrain and a postcrash fire.
The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight in rolling hills in a canyon, the canyon wind forced the airplane to the ground. The airplane impacted terrain, the pilot egressed from the cockpit without further incident, and a postcrash fire occurred. The airplane was destroyed in the postcrash fire.
The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Mountain Flight Operations
The Federal Aviation Administration has published FAA-P-8740-60 Tips on Mountain Flying. This publication provides various tips on how to conduct safe flight operations in mountain areas.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA16CA027. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4401Q.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to compensate for wind while maneuvering at a low altitude, resulting in a collision with terrain and a postcrash fire.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight in rolling hills in a canyon, the canyon wind forced the airplane to the ground. The airplane impacted terrain, the pilot egressed from the cockpit without further incident, and a postcrash fire occurred. The airplane was destroyed in the postcrash fire.
The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Mountain Flight Operations
The Federal Aviation Administration has published FAA-P-8740-60 Tips on Mountain Flying. This publication provides various tips on how to conduct safe flight operations in mountain areas. This publication states in part;
Strong winds can cause some of the most dangerous conditions you'll have to contend with in the mountains. To minimize the chance of encountering dangerous turbulence, mountain flying should not be attempted if the winds aloft forecast at mountain top levels are greater than 25 knots. Above this level, potentially dangerous turbulence, as well as very strong up and down drafts is likely.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA16CA027