Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX92LA285

HEMET, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N3619U

SCHWEIZER 1-36

Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS SOARING IN A CLEAR AREA ABOUT 5 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT WHEN HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS SUDDENLY AROSE OVER THE AIRPORT. THE CLOUDS BEGAN MOVING TOWARD THE PILOT'S LOCATION AND HE HEADED BACK TOWARD THE AIRPORT. HE SAID THAT HEAVY RAIN OBSCURED THE AIRPORT AND RATHER THAN ATTEMPT TO FIND THE AIRPORT IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING. THE PILOT NOTED THAT AFTER HE WAS COMMITTED TO THE SELECTED FIELD, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE TERRAIN WAS ROUGH. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN THE ROUGH FIELD AND INCURRED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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