# NTSB SEA95LA015: Piper PA-18-105, N7566K, Gillette, WY, November 3, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1994, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Gillette, WY
- Coordinates: 44.459934, -105.700721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4599&lon=-105.7007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42084
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42084/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA015

## 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

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)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7566K), registered now, S/N 18-283, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-105
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-105 SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-105-special) (registry code 7101808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-283
- Airframe hours: 1135
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19941103040989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941103040989A), Nov 3, 1994: Piper PA18105SPEC, Gillette, WY, Substantial damage. Aerial cattle survey. Saw coyote in snow near cattle. Unoticed descended into snow and nosed over.

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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