Says Turbulence, Low Visibility Likely Factors

The National Transportation Safety Board released its Probable Cause report this week on the downing last year of a Wyoming Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182R. The Probable Cause Report was adopted as of January 31, and states strong winds and low visibility were factors in the August 20, 2007 mishap.

As ANN reported, pilot James Henderson, 59, and crew members James Meyer, 53, and Patricia Larson, 52, were killed in the crash. They were flying in search of a missing 16-year-old male, who was later found unharmed.

Witnesses told investigators they saw the CAP aircraft flying at an estimated 400 to 600 feet off the ground, nearly 2,000 feet lower than what was called for in the prevailing conditions.

Weather reports for that day show gusts up to 25 miles per hour. "Mission procedures state that the pilot should adjust the search altitude based upon the winds aloft -- 10 knots of wind results in an addition of 1,000 feet to the search altitude and 20 knots of wind results in an addition of 2,000 feet to the search altitude. The pilot reported on his mission planning statement that his search altitude would be 1,000 feet." reads the NTSB report.

Smoke from wildfires contributed to the low visibility, reports the safety board, which combined with the winds likely contributed to the loss of control. Turbulence below 14,000 feet was advised for the entire area, according to a NOTAM included in weather briefings for August 20.

"The pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in mountainous terrain due to gusty wind conditions, and lee side turbulence," ruled the NTSB. "Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making, and his failure to follow operational procedures regarding altitudes flown."

The Civil Air Patrol operates a fleet of 580 single engine piston aircraft from 52 Wing locations across the nation. All CAP crews are trained and operate over 90 percent of inland search and rescue missions.

The aircraft in the accident received its last inspection in September 2006, according to the NTSB, and had 3492.6 hours total airframe time.

FMI: Read The NTSB Probable Cause Report, www.cap.gov