Then consider this information below: Altimeters are affected by the venturi effect of winds blowing across terrain. The winds create a localized "low pressure area", and this will result in altimeters reading an altitude higher than the actual aircraft altitude. The following chart provides some insight to the extent of wind errors: Windspeed* (kts) Altimeter Error (ft) 20 56 40 201 60 455 80 812 *Windspeed values were measured 100 ft above airport elevation Might investigators have come to a different conclusion if they had considered these wind effects