Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. A factor was his possible encounter with turbulence.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot of the amateur built airplane stated that as he turned from downwind to base, he was unable to roll out of the left turn. He further stated that the rudder did not seem to respond. The airplane continued in the left bank until it impacted the ground. There were mountains in the vicinity of the airport and towering cumulus was reported in the western, northern, and eastern quadrants over the mountains. No evidence of pre impact flight control malfunction or failure was found during the investigation.
Source record
Factual narrative
On Thursday, March 11, 1993, at approximately 1030 mountain standard time, a Mistretta built Challenger II amateur built airplane was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground at the Coronado airport in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The airplane, owned and operated by the private pilot, was on a 14 CFR Part 91 local personal flight. There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot stated that as he turned from downwind to base for landing on runway 21, he was unable to roll out of the left turn. He further stated that the rudder would not respond. The airplane continued in the left bank until it impacted the ground. -