Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172 near Glendora, CA — 2011-01-31

Final reportWPR11FA117
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Date
2011-01-31
Location
Glendora, CA, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172
Registration
N6922A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The flight crew's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while maneuvering in downdraft conditions over mountains.

NTSB narrative

The flight instructor reported that he and the commercially certificated student flew to mountainous terrain to practice using orographic lift. The flight instructor stated that the lift they were flying in began to dissipate so he took the flight controls and added full power to depart the area. Suddenly, they encountered a strong downdraft and moments later they impacted the terrain. It is likely that the airplane was not at a sufficient altitude for the pilot to recover from the downdraft encounter and clear the terrain. The flight instructor told local authorities at the time of his rescue that there were no problems with the airplane. A postaccident examination revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Instructor could have chosen to avoid mountainous terrain for safety.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 14 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents14

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