# NTSB LAX07CA187: Aviat Husky A1-B, N246AM, Winston, MT, June 3, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 3, 2007, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Winston, MT - Coordinates: 46.400001, -111.75 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4000&lon=-111.7500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65929 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65929/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=65929 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA187 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude in a canyon that led to a stall. The pilot's decision to fly along the canyon wall at a low altitude and low energy state was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - blind/box canyon - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane stalled and impacted terrain during flight in a canyon at low altitude and a slow airspeed. The pilot was participating in a mountain flying seminar and was flying with a CFI. The purpose of the flight was instructional in nature intending to practice short canyon turns. They flew the first canyon at 300 feet agl, 70 mph, 20 degrees of flaps, along the south side of the canyon, and rode a few thermals. Identifying areas where thermal lift could be found was part of the instructional flight. He then crossed into another canyon that was full of burned out terrain and dead fall trees. This canyon he flew at 300 to 350 feet agl, 60 to 65 mph, and full flaps. The pilot angled his plane towards a rock cliff expecting to pickup thermal lift from the warm rocks. He flew with the wing tip about 10 feet from the cliff. The climb stopped, the airspeed fell off, and the wing stalled. He turned left, applied full throttle, and lowered the nose of the airplane. The descent was rapid as he tried to direct the airplane between deadfall trees into a drainage gully. The airplane's descent continued and he tried to land the airplane as gently as he could. After the collision with the sloped terrain, both pilots egressed the airplane just before it was engulfed in flames. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot was participating in a mountain flying seminar and was flying with a CFI. They departed Townsend Airport, Montana, at 1015. The purpose of the flight was instructional in nature intended to practice short canyon turns. The pilot proceeded northwest in search of a suitable canyon. They flew the first canyon at 300 feet agl, 70 mph, 20 degrees of flaps, along the south side of the canyon, and rode a few thermals. Identifying areas where thermal lift could be found was part of the instructional flight. He then crossed into another canyon that was full of burned terrain and dead fall trees. This canyon he flew at 300 to 350 feet agl, 60 to 65 mph, and full flaps. The pilot angled his plane towards a rock cliff expecting to pickup thermal lift from the warm rocks. He flew with the wing tip about 10 feet from the cliff. The climb stopped, the airspeed fell off, and the wing stalled. He turned left, applied full throttle, and lowered the nose of the airplane. The descent was rapid as he tried to direct the airplane between deadfall trees into a drainage gully. The airplane's descent continued and he tried to land the airplane as gently as he could. After the collision with the sloped terrain, both pilots egressed the airplane just before it was engulfed in flames. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N246AM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N246AM-2008-01-24), registration cancelled 2008-01-24, S/N 2246, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat Husky A1-B - Registry model: [Aviat A-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1b) (registry code 2210406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2246 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Jon C Kantorowicz - Registered owner: Jon C Kantorowicz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 8U8, Townsend, MT - Airport: 8U8, Townsend ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,070 total, 370 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 62; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 19,215 total, 18,591 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 20070603009469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070603009469A), Jun 3, 2007: Aviat A1B, Winston, MT, Destroyed. (-23) On June 3, 2007, at 1100 mountain daylight time (MDT), an Aviat husky, N246AM, registered to the pilot [privacy data omitted] made a forced landing in… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 3, 2007, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=65929. 450 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1, and Record of Conversation with Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 450 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40278931&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1,%20and%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.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.