RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY B300
Mammoth Lakes, CA — February 10, 2015
Event Information
| Date | February 10, 2015 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR15CA110 |
| Event ID | 20150220X75302 |
| Location | Mammoth Lakes, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 37.00000, -118.00000 |
| Airport | MAMMOTH YOSEMITE |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | RAYTHEON AIRCRAFT COMPANY |
| Model | B300 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The airplane encountered extreme turbulence during descent.
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that while in a descent from 16,000 feet, at 1,500 feet per minute, slowing from 190 knots indicated airspeed to 160 knots, the airplane encountered extreme turbulence. The pilot reported one hard jolt up/down followed by about 15 seconds of light turbulence then one final hard jolt similar to the first. The weather was visual conditions and no turbulence was encountered prior to or after the event. A postflight examination of the airplane revealed that the extreme turbulence encountered resulted in substantial structural damage to both wings spars.
The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.