Aviat A1-A N456AM

Summary

On 14 January 2006 at about 19:20 local time, a Aviat A1-A registered N456AM, operated by Richard E. Speed, was involved in an accident near Pine, Idaho, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 January 2006 at 19:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Pine, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

Pine (1U9)

Coordinates

43.4622, -115.3092

Aircraft

Aviat A1-A

Registration

N456AM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Richard E. Speed

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Nampa → Nampa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA06CA043

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering. Snow covered terrain and flat light conditions are contributing factors.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he intended to over fly the airstrip, without landing, and return to the departure airport. He reported that while on an extended downwind leg for the airstrip, the airplane touched down on the snow resulting in substantial damage to the airplane after colliding with a snow-covered frozen drainage reservoir. The pilot reported that flat light conditions hampered his ability to judge his relative distance to the ground. He further stated that he did not realize he was descending over the snow-covered terrain until he impacted the snow.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.