Other Pilots Reported Significant Downdraft Activity

The National Transportation Safety Administration released a preliminary report this week, stating strong winds may have contributed to an Alaskan air tour accident that claimed the lives of five of the nine people on board earlier this month.

As ANN reported, the passengers were on a sightseeing tour as part of an Alaskan cruise August 16.

According to the NTSB report, a surviving passenger told investigators, "...strong and gusty winds prior to beginning the takeoff run. The passenger related the airplane started its takeoff run directly into the strong winds, and shortly after becoming airborne, it made a steep turn to the left. The passenger indicated that as the airplane turned left, it abruptly descended, and collided with a tall stand of trees along the shoreline of the bay."

Pilots flying in the area at the time of the accident reported strong southeasterly winds, ranging between 30 and 40 knots, with significant downdraft activity, the report said.

The Oregonian reported the NTSB hoped to get a clearer idea of the seating configuration in the aircraft at the time of the accident, but the tour guide's account differs from that of surviving passenger Mindy Mayer.

The agency hopes to interview the pilot and tour guide soon; both remain in the hospital.

The initial assessment of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-accident mechanical anomalies, the report said.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.ntsb.gov