# NTSB FTW98LA065: Artic S-1B2, N71AT, Worland, WY, December 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 6, 1997, 11:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Worland, WY - Coordinates: 44.000183, -107.950378 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0002&lon=-107.9504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20496 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20496/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA065 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A related factor was the rough and uneven terrain on which the forced landing was made. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot landed on a dirt road, picked up his passenger, and took off again to look for stray livestock. Spotting three head of cattle, the pilot reduced power and initiated a shallow descending turn. When he attempte to reapplied power, the engine did not respond. After several attempts to restore engine power, the pilot was forced to land in a dry creek bed. The landing gear was sheared off during the forced landing. Examination of the airplane revealed no contaminants in the fuel, and no obstructions in the fuel vent. Fuel, air, and ignition system continuity were established. ## Factual narrative On December 6, 1997, approximately 1120 mountain standard time, an Arctic S-1B2, N71AT, owned and operated by Sky Aviation Corp., was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Ten Sleep, Wyoming. The pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the aerial observation flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated near Ten Sleep at 0930. According to the pilot's accident report, he had landed on a dirt road, picked up his passenger, and took off again to look for stray livestock. Spotting three head of cattle, the pilot reduced power and initiated a shallow descending turn. When the pilot reapplied power, the engine did not respond. After several attempts to restore engine power, the pilot was forced to land in a dry creek bed. The landing gear was sheared off during the forced landing. An FAA inspector said his examination of the airplane revealed no contaminants in the fuel, and no obstructions in the fuel vent. Fuel, air, and ignition system continuity was established. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N71AT-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 1022, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Artic Aircraft Corp. S-1B2 - Registry model: [Arctic S-1B2](https://openairdocs.org/model/arctic-s-1b2) (registry code 0790208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1022 - Airframe hours: 3540 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sky Aviation Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1997, 26 hours before - Departed: NONE, TEN SLEEP, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 13,290 total, 5,570 in this make and model, 12,940 as pilot in command, 173 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 4 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 22,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: WRL, 6 nm away ## 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 19971206037459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971206037459A), Dec 6, 1997: Arctic S1B2, Worland, WY, Substantial damage. (Tty) acft made emer landing due to loss of power acft sustained damage on landing. Worland, WY. (.4)the pilot landed on a dirt road, picked up his passenger,… ## Other investigations on N71AT (2) 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. - [NTSB DEN02GA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02GA097), Aug 16, 2002: Arctic S-1B2 (N71AT), Meeteetse, WY, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. A contributing factor was the intentional low pass/slow flight maneuver. - [NTSB SEA92LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA030), Dec 21, 1991: Artic S-1B2 (N71AT), Lysite, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH TERRAIN. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE RISING TERRAIN, DOWNDRAFTS, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. 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.