Probable cause
The airplane’s encounter with low-level wind shear during takeoff, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor and student pilot were departing on an instructional cross-country flight when, just after takeoff, the airplane encountered wind and turbulence. The instructor had difficulty maintaining altitude and elected to perform an off-airport precautionary landing, during which the right wing sustained substantial damage. A weather study revealed conditions conducive to low-level wind shear and turbulence at the accident site at the time of the accident. Although the instructor had received an abbreviated weather briefing before departure, the briefing did not advise of the potential for low-level wind shear. It is likely that the encounter with wind shear during departure made it difficult for the airplane to maintain altitude.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN16LA256 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 7, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Cheyenne, Wyoming
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Gulfstream American Corp AA 5
- N-number
- N26908
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1979
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.