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NTSB Report
February 4, 1989 · Cessna 172P · N98564
Santa Ynez, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 4, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Santa Ynez, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N98564
Operator
Southwest Skyways
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA102
DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, IN IMC, THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DESCEND AT 2000 FPM. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE UNTIL THE AIRPLANE STALLED, THEN PUSHED FORWARD ON THE YOKE TO REGAIN AIRSPEED. THE PILOT REPEATED THIS PROCEDURE THREE TIMES WITH THE AIRPLANE STILL DESCENDING IN AN ATTEMPT TO FLY OUT OF THE DOWNDRAFT CONDITION. DURING THE FOURTH ATTEMPT, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A SPIN. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL APRX 200 FT AGL. AT THIS TIME THE PILOT COULD SEE THE GROUND AND INITIATED A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN. THE PILOT HAD OBTAINED A LIMITED WEATHER BRIEFING FROM THE AUTOMATED WEATHER ANSWERING SERVICE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING OR TO OBTAIN INFLIGHT WEATHER ADVISORY INFORMATION, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHILE DESCENDING IN A DOWNDRAFT.
Full Narrative
DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, IN IMC, THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DESCEND AT 2000 FPM. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE UNTIL THE AIRPLANE STALLED, THEN PUSHED FORWARD ON THE YOKE TO REGAIN AIRSPEED. THE PILOT REPEATED THIS PROCEDURE THREE TIMES WITH THE AIRPLANE STILL DESCENDING IN AN ATTEMPT TO FLY OUT OF THE DOWNDRAFT CONDITION. DURING THE FOURTH ATTEMPT, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A SPIN. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL APRX 200 FT AGL. AT THIS TIME THE PILOT COULD SEE THE GROUND AND INITIATED A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN. THE PILOT HAD OBTAINED A LIMITED WEATHER BRIEFING FROM THE AUTOMATED WEATHER ANSWERING SERVICE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN98564
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSouthwest Skyways
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 50 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO