Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's poorly planned approach and delay in executing the appropriate remedial action. Contributing to this accident was the pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath and encountering a downdraft.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The flight encountered forecasted turbulence while on final approach to runway 03. A passenger reported the pilot flew a low final approach. The aircraft encountered a downdraft. The pilot executed a go around, but without success. Realizing that the airplane was not climbing and was unable to make the runway the pilot elected to land on the lower terrain to the left of the airport. The airplane crashed about 150 feet short of the runway and about 500 feet to the west (left) of its extended centerline. Airport personnel provided the pilot with an airport advisory which included that the surface winds were from the northwest between 25 and 40 knots. The airport facility directory states in the sedona airport remarks section, in part, '...turbulence may be experienced in vicinity of the airport...'
Source record
Factual narrative
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