Aviat A-1C-180 N63WY

Summary

On 28 June 2012 at about 21:00 local time, a Aviat A-1C-180 registered N63WY, operated by Jahn Ashtiani, was involved in an accident near Kooskia, Idaho, United States. 2 people were on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 June 2012 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Kooskia, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

Moose Creek USFS Airport (1U1)

Coordinates

46.1306, -114.9269

Aircraft

Aviat A-1C-180

Registration

N63WY

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Jahn Ashtiani

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kooskia → Coeur d'Alene

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12FA280

1 person died.

The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff with a gusty tailwind, which resulted in his loss of airplane control during the initial climb and an aerodynamic stall/spin.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The passenger reported that the pilot wanted "to beat" an approaching storm and that immediately after taking off and during the initial climb, the airplane rolled violently to the right; it then rolled back to the left, and the nose dropped before impact with terrain. A witness reported observing two men rushing to pack up their airplane while the weather at the airfield was deteriorating due to an incoming thunderstorm. He reported seeing the airplane make an uphill intersection takeoff with a strong gusting tailwind. The witness added that the airplane appeared unstable during the takeoff. A second witness reported that a thunderstorm was within one mile of the airfield and that the windsock was fully erect and moving around erratically, adding that the wind "was knocking the aircraft all over." The passenger stated that he thought the airplane was about tree top level when it encountered the violent wind condition and that the engine was running normally before the accident. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's decision to attempt a downwind takeoff in gusting wind conditions, coupled with a thunderstorm in close proximity to the airfield, most likely resulted in his loss of airplane control and subsequent impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.