# NTSB SEA96TA046: Christen Industries A-1, N2866B, Lakeview, OR, February 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: February 1, 1996, 16:15 local (Feb 2, 1996, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Lakeview, OR - Coordinates: 42.30957, -120.370513 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3096&lon=-120.3705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42474 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96TA046 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42474/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96TA046 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain altitude/clearance from the terrain (snow covered, frozen lake). Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's attention being diverted to a perceived safety hazard, and lack of visual cues for pilot perception of clearance from the lake surface. ## 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 - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The aircraft was being used on an animal control flight, and the pilot was executing a low pass over a frozen, flat, snow covered lake surface, in pursuit of a coyote. During this maneuver, the gunner's weapon jammed, and the pilot diverted his attention to the direction of the weapon's muzzle, which was pointed toward a fuel tank. Immediately thereafter, the aircraft's wheels drug in the snow covered surface, and the aircraft nosed over. An overcast existed at the time, and there was a lack of references available on the smooth, even surface of the lake to enhance the pilot's depth perception. ## Factual narrative On February 1, 1996, approximately 1615 Pacific standard time, a Christen Industries, Inc., A-1, N2866B, operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on an exclusive use lease, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain while maneuvering. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was uninjured. The accident occurred on the frozen, snow covered surface of Goose Lake, approximately five miles southeast of the Lakeview Airport, Lakeview, Oregon. The flight, which was to be operated for the purposes of animal control, was public in nature. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The aircraft had originated from Lakeview approximately 1400 hours and was on a local flight. In an interview, the pilot reported that while executing a low pass in the vicinity of a coyote the gunner's weapon jammed. The pilot, concerned as to the direction in which the weapon was aimed (towards a fuel tank), shifted his attention to the gun barrel to move it away from critical aircraft areas. During this event the aircraft's main gear touched down on the snow covered lake surface. Tracks from the wheels indicated a ground roll of approximately 30 feet before the aircraft nosed over. There were no references on the surface of the lake, e.g., fence posts, trees, brush, rocks to provide the pilot with depth perception cues. An overcast existed which filtered the late afternoon sunlight reducing surface shadow effects, and the sun angle was low at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2866B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2866B), registered now, S/N 1002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Christen Industries A-1 - Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (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: 1002 - Airframe hours: 3436 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Operator: US Department Of Agriculture - Registered owner: Baine, Clark - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 8, 1996, 35 hours before - Departed: LKV, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,232 total, 1,856 in this make and model, 2,105 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 19 °F - Observed at: LKV, 5 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 19960201044479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960201044479A), Feb 1, 1996: Chris A1, Lakeview, OR, Substantial damage. Usda flight chasing coyotes. Distracted by gunner. Gear touched snow on frozen lake. 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. --- 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.