At about 15:13 Pacific time, a Cessna P210N descended into mountainous terrain in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, about seven miles north of Mt. Charleston. The pilot was killed. The airplane was cruising at 16,000 feet when the pilot requested a descent to 15,000 feet because of downdrafts. In less than three minutes the airplane had lost more than 7,000 feet and ground speed had dropped from 150 knots to 60 knots. The airplane wreckage was found at about 7,000 feet msl at the same location as the last radar return. All of the wreckage was confined within a 30-foot radius of the fuselage.
October 30, Mt. Charleston, Nev. / Cessna Pressurized Centurion
At about 15:13 Pacific time, a Cessna P210N descended into mountainous terrain in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, about seven miles north of Mt. Charleston. The pilot was killed. The airplane was cruising at 16,000 feet when the pilot requested a descent to 15,000 feet because of downdrafts. In less than three minutes the airplane had lost more than 7,000 feet and ground speed had dropped from 150 knots to 60 knots. The airplane wreckage was found at about 7,000 feet msl at the same location as the last radar return. All of the wreckage was confined within a 30-foot radius of the fuselage....
Key Takeaways:
- A Cessna P210N crashed in mountainous terrain within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, resulting in the pilot's fatality.
- The aircraft experienced a rapid, uncontrolled descent, losing over 7,000 feet and significant airspeed in less than three minutes after the pilot requested a lower altitude due to downdrafts.
- The wreckage was found concentrated within a 30-foot radius at approximately 7,000 feet mean sea level, consistent with the abrupt descent.
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