ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 122689
This record has been locked for editing.
| Date: | Saturday 21 May 2011 |
| Time: | 14:50 |
| Type: |  Van's RV-6A |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N52VC |
| MSN: | 24642 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2003 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 556 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming O-320 SERIES |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | southwest of Cody, WY -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Marsing, ID (ID40) |
| Buffalo, WY (KBYG) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot reported that, when the airplane was at 13,500 feet mean sea level and flying over snow-covered mountainous terrain, he changed course and initiated a descent to avoid moisture-laden clouds. During the descent into a valley, the pilot noticed “slightly rising terrain,” so he initiated a climb. The pilot reported that it appeared he had a visual illusion because he thought the airplane was at a higher altitude than the approaching terrain. The airplane subsequently impacted the snow-covered mountain and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The passenger stated that he and the pilot had become disoriented. It is likely that the snow-covered terrain and the overcast sky created a flat light condition, which inhibited the visual cues necessary for the pilot to orient himself to the terrain. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude to avoid rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s visual illusion and disorientation due to the flat light conditions.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 22-May-2011 12:14 | gerard57 | Added |
| 23-May-2011 16:59 | RobertMB | Updated [Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Operator] |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:25 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 06-Apr-2017 18:15 | junior sjc | Updated [Other fatalities, Location, Narrative] |
| 27-Nov-2017 16:53 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Aircraft type, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
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