DEN05LA112

The instructor pilot said he was on short final when he encountered wind shear and turbulence. He initiated a go-around, failed to maintain control of the airplane, lost airspeed, stalled, and subsequently impacted terrain. According to the tower controller, the airplane was cleared to land on runway 11. While on short final, the airplane encountered a wind gust or downdraft, and the flight instructor reported to the controller he was initiating a go-around. Approximately 200 feet agl, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted the runway surface. At 2032, the automated surface observing system (ASOS) reported the wind from 210 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 37 knots. At 2027, ASOS reported a peak wind at 310 degrees at 37 knots. Cumulonimbus clouds, virga, and wind shear were reported in the area at the time of the accident

On July 16, 2005, approximately 2030 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182Q, single-engine airplane, N735AC, was destroyed when it impacted the runway following a loss of control during an aborted landing at Walker Field Airport (GJT), Grand Junction, Colorado. The flight instructor and private pilot receiving instruction sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight departed GJT approximately 1945.

According to the GJT tower controller, the airplane was cleared to land on runway 11. While on short final, the airplane encountered wind shear, and the flight instructor reported to the controller he was initiating a go-around. Approximately 200 feet agl, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and impacted the runway surface.

According to the flight instructor, the weather conditions were VFR with isolated virga accompanied with wind shear. He stated that he "established a stable approach at about 80 knots and 20 degrees of flaps". He said that he noticed "dust devils in the dirt at about the anticipated touchdown point." He "immediately initiated a go-around, applied full power, and set the attitude for level flight.". He stated that "when the airplane entered the wind shear, the airspeed dropped rapidly and the stall warning horn sounded". He said the airplane lost all lift and "slammed into the runway".

According to the student, they encountered turbulence on final approach. He said, "during one bounce, I noticed that airspeed had dropped 40 knots and I called out we were near stall speed". He said, "I looked out the windshield and thought I saw a dust devil to the right of the runway. I looked back inside the cockpit and noticed (the instructor) had removed one notch of flaps". He stated that his "next memory was the runway rushing up at me".

According to an FAA inspector who traveled to the accident site, examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the engine and airframe. The left wing separated, the propeller was bent, the nose gear and left main gear were separated, and the fuselage was wrinkled.

At 2032, the GJT automated surface observing system (ASOS) reported the wind from 210 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 37 knots. At 2027, the GJT ASOS reported a peak wind at 310 degrees at 37 knots. Cumulonimbus clouds, virga, and wind shear were reported in the area at the time of the accident.