# NTSB WPR23LA053: Aviat A-1C-180, N60WY, Morgan, UT, December 3, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 3, 2022, 11:00, time zone not recorded
- Place: Morgan, UT
- Coordinates: 41.05448, -111.75061
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0545&lon=-111.7506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: SLC FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106416/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106416
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA053

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from snow covered terrain while maneuvering at low attitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s loss of visual reference due to snow and flat light conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md)
- [Perception/orientation/illusion: visual illusion/disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat A-1C-180, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210410), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, the intention of the flight was to fly over a friend’s property to determine how much snow had accumulated. On a low approach without intent to land, the overcast sky and flat light made it difficult to determine his height above the field, and the airplane’s right wheel touched the soft snow and dug in. The pilot attempted a go-around, however the left main tire then dug in. He decided to land rather than lose directional control, however on rollout the airplane struck a snow drift that he could not see, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, vertical fin, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60WY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60WY), registered now, S/N 3388, built 2022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC A-1C-180
- Registry model: [Aviat A-1C-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1c-180) (registry code 2210410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1P](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1p) (registry code 42259, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3388
- Year built: 2022
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A/P 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cannon Land LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 2022, 104 hours before
- Departed: 42U, Morgan, UT
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 801 total, 401 in this make and model, 615 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observed at: KOGD, 14 nm away
- METAR: METAR KOGD 031853Z 33004KT 10SM CLR M02/M10 A3029 RMK AO2 SLP284 T10221100=

## 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 20221203017809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221203017809A), Dec 3, 2022: Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1C-180, Morgan, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot was flying over vacant field. Pilot experienced flat light which prevented accurate determination of height to the ground. Airxraft right tire touched…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 31, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106416. 2.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14981453&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 478 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14951476&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=053photo-Rel.pdf

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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