Aviat A-1A N26HV

Summary

On 15 August 2022 at about 12:30 local time, a Aviat A-1A registered N26HV was involved in an accident near Yellow Pine, Idaho, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 August 2022 at 12:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Yellow Pine, Idaho, United States

Nearest airport

Johnson Creek (3U2)

Coordinates

44.9117, -115.4855

Aircraft

Aviat A-1A

Registration

N26HV

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR22FA304

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an initial climb, which resulted in the exceedance of the critical angle of attack, subsequent aerodynamic stall, and impact with terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

A video of the accident flight showed the airplane departed runway 35 and became airborne within the first half of the runway. As the airplane reached mid-field, it made a climbing right turn over the trees and disappeared from the camera view. The airplane impacted terrain shortly thereafter. The sound of the engine running can be heard throughout the video. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of any preexisting mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. A review of weight and balance information showed that, at the time of departure, the airplane was likely about 229 lbs over its maximum gross weight. Additionally, although the loading and seating positions could not be verified, an estimated calculation placed the airplane’s center of gravity (CG) outside of the manufacturer’s tested/approved CG envelope. Flight track data retrieved from a personal electronic device (PED), showed that the airplane’s speed decreased to 45 knots during the takeoff climb. The airplane's increased weight would have resulted in an increased stall speed. Given the increased airplane weight and the slow airspeed during the takeoff climb, it is likely that the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.