Summary
On July 17, 2019, a Aviat A1 (N137C) was involved in an accident near Ennis, MT. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while turning at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction due to looking at wildlife.
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he was contracted for an aerial survey to spot bears. After spotting bears, he flew multiple low altitude passes to maintain sight of the bears. While maneuvering uphill at a low altitude, his attention was "drawn into the visual of the bear and cubs" and away from the terrain. When he regained focus, he decided to turn the airplane to the right, away from rising terrain, but about 90º into the turn, the airplane descended, impacted the terrain, and a post-crash fire ensued.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA432. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N137C.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while turning at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction due to looking at wildlife.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he was contracted for an aerial survey to spot bears. After spotting bears, he flew multiple low altitude passes to maintain sight of the bears. While maneuvering uphill at a low altitude, his attention was "drawn into the visual of the bear and cubs" and away from the terrain. When he regained focus, he decided to turn the airplane to the right, away from rising terrain, but about 90º into the turn, the airplane descended, impacted the terrain, and a post-crash fire ensued.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot added that he should have let the observer examine the bears during the low passes.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA432