# NTSB SEA06CA043: Aviat A1-A, N456AM, Pine, ID, January 14, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 14, 2006, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Pine, ID
- Coordinates: 43.462223, -115.309165
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4622&lon=-115.3092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63110
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63110/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA043

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering.  Snow covered terrain and flat light conditions are contributing factors.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - other (contributing factor)

## Analysis

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he intended to over fly the airstrip, without landing, and return to the departure airport.  He reported that while on an extended downwind leg for the airstrip, the airplane touched down on the snow resulting in substantial damage to the airplane after colliding with a snow-covered frozen drainage reservoir.  The pilot reported that flat light conditions hampered his ability to judge his relative distance to the ground.  He further stated that he did not realize he was descending over the snow-covered terrain until he impacted the snow.

## Factual narrative

On January 14, 2006, about 1220 mountain standard time, an Aviat A1-A airplane, N456AM, sustained substantial damage after colliding with snow-covered ice (a frozen drainage reservoir) approximately one mile south of the Pine Airport, Pine, Idaho.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured in the accident.  The airplane is owned by the pilot and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under the provisions of 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight that originated at Nampa, Idaho, approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident.    In a written statement dated January 24, 2006, the pilot reported the flight originated from Nampa, Idaho, at 1150 hours, with a planned destination of Pine, Idaho.  The pilot reported that he intended to over fly the airstrip, without landing, and return to Nampa.  He reported that while on an extended downwind leg for the airstrip, the airplane touched down on the snow resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.

The pilot reported that flat light conditions hampered his ability to judge his relative distance to the ground.  He further stated that he did not realize he was descending over the snow-covered terrain until he impacted the snow.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N456AM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N456AM), registered now, S/N 1412, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aviat A1-A
- Registry model: [Aviat A-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1a) (registry code 2210405) (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: 354950
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard E. Speed
- Registered owner: Richard E. Speed
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: S67, NAMPA, ID
- Destination: S67, NAMPA, ID
- Airport: 1U9, Pine, runway 16, 2,300 × 125 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,066 total, 671 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## 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 20060114000389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060114000389A), Jan 14, 2006: Aviat A1A, Pine, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that he and a second aircraft were flying over anderson ranch reservoir in an attempt to observe the snow condition and water level of the…

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.

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