# NTSB GAA18CA538: Avid Avid Magnum, N2137G, Carrabassett Valley, ME, September 6, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 6, 2018, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Carrabassett Valley, ME - Coordinates: 45.133335, -70.333335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1333&lon=-70.3333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98256 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA538 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98256/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98256 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA538 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to initiate the flight in marginal visual flight rules over mountainous terrain, which resulted in an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological and downdraft conditions and the subsequent controlled flight into trees and terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Morstad Andrew Ted AVID MAGNUM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0560738), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Morstad Andrew Ted AVID MAGNUM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?model=0560738), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: below VFR minima](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel; cases with it: [Morstad Andrew Ted AVID MAGNUM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md?model=0560738), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035075/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Morstad Andrew Ted AVID MAGNUM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=0560738), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Morstad Andrew Ted AVID MAGNUM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=0560738), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401); cases with it: [Morstad Andrew Ted AVID MAGNUM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=0560738), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Morstad Andrew Ted AVID MAGNUM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0560738), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Morstad Andrew Ted AVID MAGNUM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=0560738), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after the sky cleared, he departed the airport following another airplane as a flight of two. During the flight, they approached a ridge with no significant turbulence or issues. He added that they were suddenly in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and the lead airplane disappeared. He immediately changed course 10° to the left, and as he transitioned to instrument flying, the airplane encountered a downdraft. Shortly thereafter, the windscreen "filled with trees," which he estimated were less than a 100 ft away. He pitched the nose up to dissipate energy, and the airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The nearest official weather reporting station, which was 16 miles southwest of the accident site, reported, about the time of the accident, 10 miles visibility, temperature 70°F, dew point 66°F, a broken layer at 2,700 ft, a second broken layer at 3,200 ft, and an overcast layer at 4,100 ft. Although these were marginal visual flight rules conditions, given the mountainous terrain, the pilot should have expected that the mountain peaks may become obscured, and with a 4° temperature/dew point spread that visibility conditions could change rapidly. The pilot recommended that he should have flown his original flight plan, which was at a lower altitude so that he could have avoided unexpected and unpredicted winds and entering IMC. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, after the skies cleared, he departed the airport following another airplane as a flight of two. During the flight they approached a ridge with no significant turbulence or issues. He added that suddenly they were in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and the lead airplane disappeared. He immediately changed course 10° to the left, and as he transitioned to instrument flying, the airplane encountered a downdraft. Shortly thereafter, the windscreen "filled with trees", that he estimated were less than a hundred feet away. He pitched the nose up to dissipate energy, and the airplane impacted the trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot recommended that he should have flown his original flight plan, which was at a lower altitude, and he could have avoided unexpected and unpredicted winds and IMC conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2137G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2137G-2019-05-16), registration cancelled 2019-05-16, S/N 0095, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Avid AVID MAGNUM (No Series) - Registry model: [Morstad Andrew Ted AVID MAGNUM](https://openairdocs.org/model/morstad-andrew-ted-avid-magnum) (registry code 0560738) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 0095 - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 178.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 12, 2018 - Departed: M57, Rangeley, ME - Destination: 3B1, Greenville, ME - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 9, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,581 total, 175 in this make and model, 4,381 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: K8B0, 16 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 20180906013189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180906013189A), Sep 6, 2018: Morstad Andrew Ted AVID MAGNUM, Carabassett Va, ME, Destroyed. NTSB accident number GAA18CA538 with NTSB iic eric swenson 1-907-782-4847 On Thursday September 6, 2018 at approximately 1050 am [privacy data omitted]… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 27, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98256. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 971 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-Master.PDF 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.