The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped Christen Industries Husky A-1 reported that, while en route, the engine had “slight roughness,” so he decided to land in an open snow-covered field on top of a hill near Milton-Freewater, Oregon, to troubleshoot the issue.
He resolved the engine issue on the ground and decided to take off downhill with a tailwind.
During the takeoff roll, he “noticed (wind) gust on the tail.” The main landing gear was “sucked down” in a foot-deep snow drift, and the airplane nosed over.
The left wing, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage.
Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to take off from unsuitable terrain with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose-over.
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA110
This January 2017 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
He probably had to wet the tires
Down hill takeoff in snow with tailwind. Not even a student would try that.
Glacier pilots in Alaska do it all the time.
With skids, not wheels. Read the article again.
With skis, not wheels. Read the article again.
So? You didn’t qualify your comment. Few student pilots operating on skis I think.
…on skis.
If you believe that story about the “engine roughness” he resolved while sitting on the side of a mountain I have some beachfront property in Arizona I’d like to sell you!
Why yes, I have heard stories about pilots that end up having a problem while landing or taking off from a non-airport environment that they may state to the authorities that they were landing there due to an engine problem; and not just because if was fun to do that off-airport landing.
Are you seriously saying you think he fixed a rough running engine by landing on the top of a snow covered mountain?!