# Updraft

- Type: NTSB finding subsection
- Path: [Environmental issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03) › [Conditions/weather/phenomena](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0303) › [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/030340) › Updraft
- NTSB code: 03034030
- Cases: 14
- In the probable cause: 6
- Fatal cases: 2
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034030

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 1 / 1
- 2010: 1 / 1
- 2011: 1 / 2
- 2012: 0 / 2
- 2013: 2 / 2
- 2015: 1 / 1
- 2017: 0 / 2
- 2018: 0 / 1
- 2020: 0 / 1
- 2024: 0 / 1

## Defining events in these cases

- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 3 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 2 cases
- [Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470): 1 cases
- [Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380): 1 cases
- [Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333): 1 cases
- [Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300): 1 cases
- [Loss of tail rotor effectiveness](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/242): 1 cases
- [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 1 cases
- [Dynamic rollover](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/231): 1 cases
- [Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092): 1 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Eurocopter AS 350 BA](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-ba): 1 cases
- [Eurocopter AS 350 B3](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b3): 1 cases
- [Eurocopter AS 350 B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/eurocopter-as-350-b2): 1 cases
- [Schweizer SGS 1-26B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-sgs-1-26b): 1 cases
- [Aerostar International S-77A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-77a): 1 cases
- [Aerostar International S-60A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-s-60a): 1 cases
- [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 1 cases
- [Pilatus PC-12/47E](https://openairdocs.org/model/pilatus-pc-12-47e): 1 cases
- [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa): 1 cases
- [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r): 1 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 10 cases
- [Downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035) (Environmental issues): 3 cases
- [Tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015) (Environmental issues): 2 cases
- [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 2 cases
- [Lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023) (Aircraft): 2 cases
- [Document/info verification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04012025) (Organizational issues): 1 cases
- [Below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025) (Environmental issues): 1 cases
- [Windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020) (Environmental issues): 1 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB WPR24FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA257), Jul 26, 2024: Pilatus PC-12/47E (N357HE), Recluse, WY, destroyed, 7 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation while operating in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…
- [NTSB WPR21LA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA074), Dec 26, 2020: Aerostar International S-60A (N6534A), Peoria, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s encounter with an updraft which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and subsequent collision with powerlines.
- [NTSB GAA18CA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA260), May 6, 2018: Cessna 182 (N5419E), Clarksville, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind in variable crosswind and downdraft and updraft conditions on a wet runway, which resulted in a runway overrun.
- [NTSB GAA18CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA020), Oct 22, 2017: Cessna 150 (N22092), Pottsville, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the right rudder cable and subsequent loss of directional control during landing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA577](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA577), Sep 2, 2017: Flight Design Ctls (N547CT), Newport, RI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB GAA15CA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA098), May 30, 2015: Schweizer SGS 1 26B (N8683R), Mocksville, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The glider pilot over-ran the runway and impacted a structure after encountering a strong updraft on short final.
- [NTSB WPR13FA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA370), Aug 13, 2013: Champion 7GCAA (N9607S), Paradise, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during low-altitude maneuvering after encountering an updraft.
- [NTSB WPR13TA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13TA205), Apr 25, 2013: Bell BHT407 (N937GR), Big Fork, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain helicopter control while maneuvering over mountainous terrain in strong up/downdrafts and possible mountain wave activity, which resulted in a loss of tail rotor…
- [NTSB ANC12CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA074), Jul 11, 2012: Piper PA-18-150 (N4272Z), Tynoek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB WPR12CA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA118), Feb 25, 2012: Eurocopter AS 350 B3 (N118MB), Poway, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing, which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted.

Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1).

NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names.

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