# NTSB SEA05LA001: Aviat A-1, N79795, Winifred, MT, October 19, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 19, 2004, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Winifred, MT - Coordinates: 47.573333, -109.033332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5733&lon=-109.0333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60393 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60393/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA001 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an aerodynamic stall while maneuvering. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger were conducting aerial surveillance supporting livestock operations. In a written report, and subsequent telephone discussion, the pilot reported he was operating at 200 feet above ground level (AGL) at an indicated airspeed of 60 miles per hour. He conveyed that on his third pass "the aircraft got soft and dropped slightly." The pilot added power and lowered the nose of the airplane, however the airplane continued to settle, eventually striking a treetop and terrain. In his written report, the pilot stated that the airplane did not respond to normal stall recovery techniques, and continued to settle after lowering the nose and adding power. No mechanical difficulties or malfunctions were reported. ## Factual narrative On October 19, 2004, about 1000 mountain daylight time (MDT), an Aviat A-1 Husky, N79795, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain near Winifred, Montana. The airplane is owned by the pilot and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight (supporting livestock operations) under the provisions of Title 14, CFR 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that originated from Denton, Montana, at 0700 MDT. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board IIC, on October 19, the passenger stated the airplane collided with trees shortly after completing a turn. In a written report, and subsequent telephone discussion, the pilot reported he was operating at about 200 feet above ground level (AGL) at an indicated airspeed of 60 miles per hour. He conveyed that on his third pass "the aircraft got soft and dropped slightly." The pilot added power and lowered the nose of the airplane, however the airplane continued to settle, eventually striking a treetop. In his written report, the pilot stated that the airplane did not respond to normal stall recovery techniques, and continued to settle after lowering the nose and adding power. No mechanical difficulties or malfunctions were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N79795](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79795-2012-12-10), registration cancelled 2012-12-10, S/N 1205, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat A-1 - Registry model: [Aviat A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1) (registry code 2210302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1205 - Airframe hours: 523 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-CIG 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Curtis M. Hershberger - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2004, 36 hours before - Departed: 5U0, DENTON, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 31, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 2,300 total, 578 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °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 20041019024769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041019024769A), Oct 19, 2004: Chris A1, Winifred, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 19, 2004, at 1141 MDT, an Aviat A-1 husky, N79795, registered to curtis hershberger, collided with a tree after exiting a turn while looking… 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.