Cessna 182K N2761Q

Summary

On 29 May 2021 at about 21:12 local time, a Cessna 182K registered N2761Q was involved in an accident near Cordova, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 May 2021 at 21:12

Classification

Accident

Location

Cordova, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

60.7025, -143.5103

Aircraft

Cessna 182K

Registration

N2761Q

Category

Airplane

Year built

1967

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Talkeetna → Yakutat

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC21LA043

2 people had minor injuries.

An encounter with mountain wave turbulence and windshear that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane and resulted in impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, before departure, he reviewed weather conditions and proposed destination locations, which included winds aloft and METARs. About 2 hours and 15 minutes into the flight, at an altitude of about 12,500 mean sea level (msl), the airplane encountered severe turbulence and windshear, and, shortly thereafter, a downdraft. Unable to escape the downdraft, the pilot attempted to level the wings and pitched up. The airplane impacted mountainous terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, left horizontal stabilizer, and elevator. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Review of weather information revealed a relatively strong pressure gradient in the area. Upper air soundings indicated favorable conditions for severe mountain wave conditions with updraft and downdraft speeds between 2,000 and 3,000 ft per minute. Based on the available information, it is likely that the flight encountered mountain wave conditions, including severe turbulence, windshear, and downdrafts greater than 2,000 ft per minute, which exceeded the climb capability of the airplane and resulted in descent into terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.