LAX95LA307

The pilot said he overflew the airport 1,000 feet above pattern altitude and observed the wind sock pointed down runway 16. The local FBO told the pilot on the CTAF that runway 16 was favored; however, the winds on the ground were variable and gusty. The pilot entered the pattern for runway 16. He said there were no unusual conditions while on downwind or base. On final approach he noticed the wind socks at the departure and approach ends were indicating different directions and he was correcting for a left crosswind condition. Shortly after full flaps were selected the aircraft experienced a sudden and dramatic altitude loss. He said he added power to compensate for the altitude loss and was able to arrest the descent. As he flared for landing the aircraft encountered a gust of wind from the right; the left landing gear touched down and the aircraft made an abrupt turn to the left. The aircraft then ran off the left side of the runway and into scrub trees. Runway 16 is bordered on the right-hand side by a small hillock near the approach end and sits on top of a ridge in a mountain valley.

On August 26, 1995, at 1245 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182Q, N759YV, collided with trees and terrain following a loss of control while landing at the Georgetown, California, airport. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and the three passengers on board were not injured. The flight originated at Napa, California, on the day of the accident at 1145 as a personal cross-country flight to Georgetown.

In an interview, the pilot reported that he overflew the airport 1,000 feet above pattern altitude and observed the wind sock pointed down runway 16. During a conversation with the local FBO on the CTAF, the pilot said he was told that runway 16 was favored; however, the winds on the ground were squirrely. The pilot entered the pattern for runway 16. He said there were no unusual conditions while on downwind or base. On final approach he noticed the wind socks at the departure and approach ends were indicating different directions and he was correcting for a left crosswind condition. Shortly after full flaps were selected the aircraft experienced a sudden and dramatic altitude loss. He said he added power to compensate for the altitude loss and was able to arrest the descent. As he flared for landing the aircraft encountered a gust of wind from the right; the left landing gear touched down and the aircraft made an abrupt turn to the left. The aircraft then ran off the left side of the runway and into scrub trees.

Runway 16 is bordered on the right-hand side by a small hillock near the approach end and sits on top of a ridge in a mountain valley.