Windy Canyon Dangers

Canyons draw adventurous pilots in—but they hold hidden hazards.

Peter Garrison

Monday, March 13, 2023 at 06:32 PM ET

Verified

Flying through canyons has seemed to be a supreme test of airmanship. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

A highly experienced ex-Air Force pilot and former airline captain fatally crashed his RV-4 aircraft during a high-speed canyon flying exercise in southern Colorado.
The accident occurred within a challenging S-turn in the canyon, where strong, uncalculated crosswinds likely pushed the steeply banked aircraft into the eastern wall.
Despite the pilot's extensive qualifications and skill, the incident is attributed to a fatal miscalculation in a dangerous, "extreme sport" aviation environment, highlighting the invisible risks like wind.

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Ever since Luke Skywalker plunged into the mesial groove of the Death Star, flying through canyons has seemed to be a supreme test of airmanship. Military pilots practicing terrain following love to thread the so-called “Star Wars Canyon” into Death Valley at 500 knots. When the new Top Gun installment came out, it was all about negotiating canyons, both geological and interpersonal.

It’s fun, and it’s dangerous. In fact, it’s fun because it’s dangerous.