# NTSB CHI05CA117: Aviat A-1B, N102AM, Lodgepole, SD, May 19, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 19, 2005, 08:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Lodgepole, SD - Coordinates: 45.883335, -102.656112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8833&lon=-102.6561&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 61523 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61523/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA117 ## Probable cause The poor inflight planning and the pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the low altitude at which the airplane encoutnered its own wake. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Vortex turbulence encountered, maneuvering - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane collided with the terrain following a loss of control during a predator control flight. The pilot reported the purpose of the flight was an aerial hunt of coyote. The pilot stated that upon arriving in the area, he spotted a coyote and made a normal pass near it. His gunner then informed him that the shotgun had jammed so he made an "immediate 360-degree left turn." The pilot reported that when he got within 20 to 30 yards of the coyote, he encountered wake turbulence from his previous pass. He stated he applied full power and attempted to pull up. The pilot reported, "I sensed that due to the rate of descent I was going to strike the ground." The airplane contacted the terrain and became airborne before striking the terrain a second time. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2005, at 0815 mountain standard time, an Aviat A-1B, N102AM, operated by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, collided with the terrain following a loss of control during a predator control flight in Lodgepole, South Dakota. The pilot received serious injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The public use flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from a ranch in Meadow, South Dakota. The pilot reported they were flying to Lodgepole, South Dakota, to aerial hunt coyote. The pilot stated that upon arriving in the area, he spotted a coyote and made a normal pass near it. His gunner then informed him that the shotgun had jammed so he made an "immediate 360-degree left turn." The pilot reported that when he got within 20 to 30 yards of the coyote, he encountered wake turbulence from his previous pass. He stated he applied full power and attempted to pull up. The pilot reported, "I sensed that due to the rate of descent I was going to strike the ground." The airplane contacted the terrain and became airborne before striking the terrain a second time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N102AM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N102AM), registered now, S/N 2182 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat A-1B - Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2182 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft - state, Public use - Registered owner: South Dakota Dept of Game, Fish, and Parks - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Meadow, SD - Destination: Lodgepole, SD ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 27,502 total, 653 in this make and model, 92 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050519008909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050519008909A), May 19, 2005: Aviat A1B, Prairie City, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 19, 2005 at 8:30 am Aviat husky owned by south dakota department of game fish & parks struck the ground while making a run during predator control… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.