FORT BENTON, MT, USA
N56542
PIPER PA-36
WHILE RETURNING FROM AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS CRUISING AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET AGL WHEN IT FLEW UNDER A SQUALL LINE. THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURBULENCE AND DOWNDRAFTS. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AGL. THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN AN OPEN FILED. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED DOWN AND SLID TO A STOP.
INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TURBULENCE, DOWNDRAFTS, POOR WEATHER EVALUATION AND ALTITUDE NOT MAINTAINED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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