Winifred, MT, USA
N79795
Aviat A-1
The pilot and passenger were conducting aerial surveillance supporting livestock operations. In a written report, and subsequent telephone discussion, the pilot reported he was operating at 200 feet above ground level (AGL) at an indicated airspeed of 60 miles per hour. He conveyed that on his third pass "the aircraft got soft and dropped slightly." The pilot added power and lowered the nose of the airplane, however the airplane continued to settle, eventually striking a treetop and terrain. In his written report, the pilot stated that the airplane did not respond to normal stall recovery techniques, and continued to settle after lowering the nose and adding power. No mechanical difficulties or malfunctions were reported.
On October 19, 2004, about 1000 mountain daylight time (MDT), an Aviat A-1 Husky, N79795, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain near Winifred, Montana. The airplane is owned by the pilot and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight (supporting livestock operations) under the provisions of Title 14, CFR 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that originated from Denton, Montana, at 0700 MDT. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board IIC, on October 19, the passenger stated the airplane collided with trees shortly after completing a turn. In a written report, and subsequent telephone discussion, the pilot reported he was operating at about 200 feet above ground level (AGL) at an indicated airspeed of 60 miles per hour. He conveyed that on his third pass "the aircraft got soft and dropped slightly." The pilot added power and lowered the nose of the airplane, however the airplane continued to settle, eventually striking a treetop. In his written report, the pilot stated that the airplane did not respond to normal stall recovery techniques, and continued to settle after lowering the nose and adding power. No mechanical difficulties or malfunctions were reported.
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an aerodynamic stall while maneuvering.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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