Summary
On January 19, 2019, a Piper PA 18 (N3298Z) was involved in an accident near Iron Mountain, MI. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's distraction and subsequent loss of situational awareness and visual horizon in overcast sky conditions, which led to an unrecognized descent during a low-level maneuver and subsequent impact with snow-covered terrain.
On January 19, 2019, about 1315 central standard time, a Piper PA-28 airplane, N3298Z, owned by a private individual impacted a frozen lake near Iron Mountain, Michigan. The airline transport rated pilot received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damaged. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that originated at Ford Airport (IMT), Iron Mountain, Michigan.
According to the pilot's statement, he had an uneventful sight-seeing flight and intended to return to IMT.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN19CA062. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3298Z.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's distraction and subsequent loss of situational awareness and visual horizon in overcast sky conditions, which led to an unrecognized descent during a low-level maneuver and subsequent impact with snow-covered terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On January 19, 2019, about 1315 central standard time, a Piper PA-28 airplane, N3298Z, owned by a private individual impacted a frozen lake near Iron Mountain, Michigan. The airline transport rated pilot received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damaged. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that originated at Ford Airport (IMT), Iron Mountain, Michigan.
According to the pilot's statement, he had an uneventful sight-seeing flight and intended to return to IMT. He initiated a left-hand turn about 800ft above ground level, over Fumee Lake, Michigan, and became distracted while focusing on a distant point across the frozen and snow covered lake. The pilot reported he lost reference to the horizon while continuing in a descending left turn and impacted the ground with the left wing, main gear and right wing. The pilot indicated on his accident report that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane prior to the accident.
At 1254, the IMT automated surface observation system, located 6 miles west of the accident site, reported the following weather conditions: winds 020º at 5 knots, 10 miles visibility, ceiling overcast 3,500 ft, temperature -11ºC, dew point -18ºC, and altimeter 30.19 inches of mercury.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN19CA062