Aviat A-1B N949AK

Summary

On 6 July 2011 at about 17:48 local time, a Aviat A-1B registered N949AK, operated by Cline Richard L, was involved in an accident near Palmer, Alaska, 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

6 July 2011 at 17:48

Classification

Accident

Location

Palmer, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.4842, -149.0419

Aircraft

Aviat A-1B

Registration

N949AK

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Cline Richard L

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Palmer → Palmer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC11CA058

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude in mountainous terrain and weather conditions conducive to downdrafts.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was flying at a low altitude in mountainous terrain when the airplane encountered a strong downdraft, and began to descend. He added full engine power to stop the descent, but the airplane continued to descend, and impacted an area of down sloping, rock-covered terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.