Pilot Debrief

AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B near Heber City, UT — 2010-11-06

Final reportWPR11CA041
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Date
2010-11-06
Location
Heber City, UT, USA
Aircraft
AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1B
Registration
N178WW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the ground during low-level maneuvering in mountainous/hilly terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was practicing the procedures for making approaches to back-country remote airstrips and was flying in approach configuration about 40 to 60 feet over a mountain ridge. Although the wind was light and variable, just as the airplane was crossing the ridge it encountered a downdraft, which resulted in a sudden loss of altitude. Before the pilot was able to correct the descent, one of the airplane's main landing gear tires came in contact with the snow-covered terrain, which resulted in the airplane slowing down and flipping over onto its back. The accident sequence resulted in damage to the top of the rudder and to one of the wing lift struts. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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