N1594A

Substantial
None

Piper PA-20 S/N: 833

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, November 12, 2000
NTSB Number
SEA01LA018
Location
GREAT FALLS, MT
Event ID
20001212X22341
Coordinates
47.289871, -111.340606
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's improper decision to land on unsuitable terrain. Factors include snow covered terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N1594A
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
833
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1951
Model / ICAO
PA-20 PA20
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
FOWLER RAYMOND D
Address
40914 CRESTED CRANE ST
Status
Deregistered
City
HOMER
State / Zip Code
AK 99603
Country
United States

Analysis

On November 12, 2000, about 1515 mountain standard time, a tail-wheel equipped Piper PA-20, N1594A, sustained substantial damage while landing at an off airport landing site approximately 18 miles south of Great Falls, Montana. The airplane was owned by the pilot, and was being operated as a personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The flight originated at Great Falls International Airport, Great Falls, Montana, approximately one hour and 15 minutes prior to the accident.

According to the pilot, he was conducting a practice emergency approach and landing to a remote, snow covered, off-airport landing site. He reported that when the aircraft touched down, in a three-point attitude, the main wheels contacted deep snow on the landing surface and the airplane subsequently nosed over. The airplane's right and left wing sustained substantial damage.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA01LA018