NTSB Identification: CEN15CA218
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident
occurred
Saturday, May 02, 2015
in
Moriarty, NM
Probable Cause Approval Date:
06/01/2015
Aircraft:
SCHMIDT DONALD L GS1 GLASTAR, registration:
N993S
Injuries: 1 Minor.
NTSB
investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but
not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator
and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this
aircraft accident report.
While maneuvering in mountainous terrain about 700 feet above ground level, the airplane encountered "an extreme clear-air [sic] microburst."
The pilot was unable to control the descent rate and executed an off-airport landing. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and both wings.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
While maneuvering in mountainous terrain about 700 feet above ground level, the airplane encountered "an extreme clear-air [sic] microburst."
The pilot was unable to control the descent rate and executed an off-airport landing. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and both wings.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
- The inadvertent encounter with a microburst while maneuvering near mountainous terrain, which resulted in an off airport landing and impact with terrain.