Thus leading to why Pilots of aircraft/helicopters approaching mountains from the lee side shall do so at 45degree angle, allowing sufficient time that if a sever down draft is incountered the aircraft can make a turning decent/climb away from the MOUNTAINS, ALWAYS have an escape route.
Originally Posted by IO540
I don't see how a downdraught can force a plane into the ground.
One of the most common forms of accidents are CFIT(controlled flight into terrain) including down drafts and microburst/clear airpockets,
all these play a dangerous part in aviation and are often over looked until you are unfortunate enough to encounter it and if survived it to always be aware of them. I my self experienced a Drop of 1500ft in a twin-engine aircraft to find my self 500ft above terrain and my No.2 engine to surging due to the negative G and engine feeding/fueling issues, Since then i can assure you that you constantly fly with an escape route over mountains!
