# NTSB SEA92LA057: Robert L. Rice Davis DA-2A, N48BR, Billings, MT, March 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1992, 17:20 local (Mar 8, 1992, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Billings, MT
- Coordinates: 45.759635, -108.570091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7596&lon=-108.5701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA057

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE.  FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND THE RISING TERRAIN IN THE AREA.

## 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 - rising (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN NEAR THE TOP OF A HILL WHILE MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND.  THE PILOT HELD A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE AND WAS NOT QUALIFIED TO CONDUCT THE FLIGHT WITH A PASSENGER ABOARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48BR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48BR-1993-03-26), registration cancelled 1993-03-26, S/N 1022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROBERT L. RICE DAVIS DA-2A (DAVIS DA-2)
- Registry model: [Rice Robert L DAVIS DA-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rice-robert-l-davis-da-2a) (registry code 05612NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1022
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jacobson, Edward A.
- Registered owner: Jacobson, Edward A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1991, 48 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 61 total, 48 in this make and model, 61 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Dusk
- Wind: 50° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIL, 8 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 19920307005149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920307005149A), Mar 7, 1992: Amtrdv DAVISDA2A, Billings, MT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted on rising terrain and burned. Was seen diving over airport with near vertical pullups prior to crash.

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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