Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while compensating for a downdraft during landing, which resulted in the airplane touching down short of the runway on soft terrain and nosing over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, as he approached the airport, he noted there was turbulence, and that the windsock was indicating light winds. While on the short-final leg of the traffic pattern for runway 16, the airplane encountered a downdraft. The airplane’s sink rate increased and in response, the pilot applied full engine power. Despite his attempt to arrest the descent, the airplane touched down about 200 ft before the runway in soft terrain. The airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. Both wings were substantially damaged.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA176 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 15, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah
- Nearest airport
- Monument Valley (UT25)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Vans RV4
- N-number
- N345DL
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1994
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.