Aero Commander 690 N840JC accident near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Probable cause

An encounter with low-level windshear and turbulence during the landing approach, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was approaching the airport to land in instrument meteorological conditions when he encountered heavy turbulence. He continued the approach and the airplane started to descend rapidly. Although he added full power in an attempt to climb, the airplane continued to descend until it collided with the Atlantic Ocean. The forward portion of the fuselage, which included the cockpit separated from the airplane. The pilot did not report any anomalies with the airplane before the accident.

Review of weather information for the area of the airport about the time of the accident revealed light to moderate precipitation with a high potential for moderate turbulence and low-level wind shear below about 2,000 ft. Radar imagery did not reveal signatures typically associated with microburst activity. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot encountered low-level windshear and turbulence during the approach, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA19LA043 for the full record.