Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain altitude sufficient to clear terrain. The downdraft was a factor.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
After making a low pass over the house of a friend, the pilot turned toward rising terrain. As he tried to outclimb the terrain, the aircraft encountered a downdraft and impacted the ground.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 10, 1994, approximately 2025 Pacific daylight time (PDT), an experimental Day Teeny II, N526AD, collided with the terrain while maneuvering near Colville, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Sand Canyon Airport, Chewelah, Washington, about 15 minutes prior to the accident, was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, he made a low pass over the home of a friend, and then turned toward rising terrain. As he tried to outclimb the terrain, the aircraft encountered a downdraft, lost altitude, and impacted the ground. The pilot said that there was no problem with the engine, and that it ran fine until impact. -