Probable cause
The airplane’s encounter with clear air turbulence, which caused a momentary loss of control and minor damage to the airplane.
NTSB analysis
The commercial pilot was maneuvering around clouds during a skydiving operation when the airplane abruptly made a steep bank to the left and continued to dive. He made control corrections to recover the airplane and soon after landed uneventfully. The pilot believed that he hit a patch of turbulence that caused the airplane to maneuver in such a manner. A postflight examination revealed wrinkles in the top skin of the airplane’s wings, which was later determined to be minor damage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12IA385 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 27, 2012
- Type
- Incident
- Place
- Fowlerville, Michigan
- Nearest airport
- Maple Grove Airport (65G)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 182
- N-number
- N287TC
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Minor
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Skydiving
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.