- Date
- November 3, 1994, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place
- Gillette, WY
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N7566KPiper PA-18-105
- Weather
- Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 29, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19941103040989A
- Case key
- 42084
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot in command's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. Factors contributing were the snow covered terrain and low ceiling resulting in poor contrast.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that while checking cattle he observed two coyotes and maneuvered to get a better look. While observing the animals out the right side of the aircraft, and with the aircraft in a glide over descending terrain, the wheels touched the snow and the aircraft nosed over. A low overcast ceiling and snow covered terrain resulted in poor contrast of the surrounding terrain.
Factual narrative
On November 3, 1994, approximately 1045 hours mountain standard time (mst), a Piper PA-18-105, N7566K, registered to John F. Christensen, and being flown by the owner's son, John O. Christensen, a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft descended into downsloping terrain and then nosed over approximately 37 nautical miles south of Gillette, Wyoming. The pilot was uninjured. Variable meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was an aerial observation of cattle, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from the pilot's ranch near the accident site approximately 0945 hours.
The pilot reported that there was an estimated ceiling (overcast) of 1000 feet (above ground) and a visibility of 2 miles. He also stated that the ground was snow covered and that "contrast was poor due to (the) fresh snow on the ground."
He reported that while checking cattle he observed two coyotes and maneuvered to get a better look. While observing the animals out the right side of the aircraft, and with the aircraft in a glide over descending terrain, the wheels touched the snow and the aircraft nosed over.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N7566K
- Reported as
- Piper PA-18-105
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18-283
- Airframe hours
- 1,135
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-A2B, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation · Part 91
- Operator
- Christensen, John O.
- Registered owner
- Christensen, John F.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Utility
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 1, 1994 · 43 hours before
- Departed
- WY
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 44
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 486 total · 339 in this make and model · 462 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Day
- Wind
- 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 36 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.