Aviat A-1B N102AM

Summary

On 19 May 2005 at about 15:15 local time, a Aviat A-1B registered N102AM was involved in an accident near Lodgepole, South Dakota, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 May 2005 at 15:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Lodgepole, South Dakota, United States

Coordinates

45.8833, -102.6561

Aircraft

Aviat A-1B

Registration

N102AM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Public Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Meadow → Lodgepole

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI05CA117

1 person was seriously injured.

The poor inflight planning and the pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the low altitude at which the airplane encoutnered its own wake.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with the terrain following a loss of control during a predator control flight. The pilot reported the purpose of the flight was an aerial hunt of coyote. The pilot stated that upon arriving in the area, he spotted a coyote and made a normal pass near it. His gunner then informed him that the shotgun had jammed so he made an "immediate 360-degree left turn." The pilot reported that when he got within 20 to 30 yards of the coyote, he encountered wake turbulence from his previous pass. He stated he applied full power and attempted to pull up. The pilot reported, "I sensed that due to the rate of descent I was going to strike the ground." The airplane contacted the terrain and became airborne before striking the terrain a second time.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.