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NTSB Report

December 20, 2004 · Christen Industries A-1 · N2898D

Terreton, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 20, 2004
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Terreton, ID
Aircraft
Christen Industries A-1
Tail Number
N2898D
Operator
Usda Aphis Wildlife Services
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA05TA028

The purpose of the public use flight was to hunt coyotes. The pilot reported that the airplane was at an altitude of 50 to 100 feet agl. After the gunner shot one of a group of three coyotes and wounded another, he circled the airplane left to line up for another shot at the wounded coyote. The turn was made at 60 knots with three notches of flaps. After completing the left turn, the "aircraft seemed to lose elevator control," the tail pitched up, and the nose went down. The pilot added full power and had just enough time to raise the nose before the airplane hit the ground. The forward section of the lower fuselage was crushed upward. The main landing gear separated, and the right wing separated at the wing root and rotated forward.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with terrain.

Full Narrative

On December 20, 2004, approximately 1000 mountain standard time, a Christen Industries A-1 airplane, N2898D, impacted terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering about 8 miles north of Terreton, Idaho. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot and the passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was operated by the Idaho Woolgrowers Association, Boise, Idaho, under contract to the United States Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the public use flight was to hunt coyotes. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed. The flight departed from Rexburg Madison County Airport, Rexburg, Idaho, at 0815 for the local area flight. The pilot reported to an NTSB investigator that the airplane was at an altitude of 50 to 100 feet agl. After the gunner shot one of a group of three coyotes and wounded another, he circled the airplane left to line up for another shot at the wounded coyote. The turn was made at 60 knots with three notches of flaps. After completing the left turn, the "aircraft seemed to lose elevator control," the tail pitched up, and the nose went down. The pilot added full power and had just enough time to raise the nose before the airplane hit the ground. The forward section of the lower fuselage was crushed upward. The main landing gear separated, and the right wing separated at the wing root and rotated forward.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChristen Industries A-1
Tail NumberN2898D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUsda Aphis Wildlife Services
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-CIG · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data