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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 30, 2007 · Christen Industries A-1 · N661FB

Elm Springs, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 30, 2007
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Elm Springs, SD
Aircraft
Christen Industries A-1
Tail Number
N661FB
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI07TA241

The airplane impacted rising terrain while maneuvering on a public use animal control flight. The pilot said that he had turned and was heading south and had begun a shallow descent to maintain a constant altitude above down-sloping terrain. The pilot said, "As we continued to descend I noticed a slight rise in the terrain and determined that we had plenty of altitude to clear that rise and continued on with my southerly flight path and shallow descent. As we approached the slight rise in the terrain the pressure in the stick changed very quickly with a movement in the pitch axis only. The pressure came back immediately and then there was another pressure change in the stick that was a little more pronounced. This movement was identical to the other in that it was a pitch change only; there was no movement in the roll direction. After the second time the pitch change changed I made a remark to the gunner and the crash took place. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining clearance from the rising terrain. A factor contributing to the accident was the rising terrain.

Full Narrative

On July 30, 2007, about 0700 mountain daylight time, N661FB, registered as a Christen Industries Inc. A-1 airplane, operated by the State of South Dakota, sustained substantial damage when it impacted rising terrain while maneuvering near Elm Springs, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The public use animal control flight was being conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries and went to a hospital. The local flight originated from the Wall Municipal Airport, near Wall, South Dakota, at 0615. The pilot stated in his accident report that he had turned and was heading south. He said that he had begun a shallow descent to maintain a constant altitude above the terrain, which was lowering toward a river bottom. The pilot's accident report, in part, further stated: As we continued to descend I noticed a slight rise in the terrain and determined that we had plenty of altitude to clear that rise and continued on with my southerly flight path and shallow descent. As we approached the slight rise in the terrain the pressure in the stick changed very quickly with a movement in the pitch axis only. The pressure came back immediately and then there was another pressure change in the stick that was a little more pronounced. This movement was identical to the other in that it was a pitch change only; there was no movement in the roll direction. After the second time the pitch change changed I made a remark to the gunner and the crash took place. At 0652, the recorded weather at the Rapid City Regional Airport, near Rapid City, South Dakota, was: Wind 150 degrees at 7 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 21 degrees C; dew point 17 degrees C; altimeter 29.97 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChristen Industries A-1
Tail NumberN661FB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C1G · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 63 F
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time12:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data