During an animal damage control mission near Garrett, Wyoming, the Piper PA-18-150 was maneuvering at a low altitude over wildlife when it encountered “rough, disturbed air,” according to the pilot.
He counteracted by leveling the wings and pushing the nose down slightly.
As the airplane began to fly out of the disturbed air, it encountered disturbed air a second time. The pilot leveled the wings and moved the control stick to neutral due to the close proximity of the ground and sink rate.
The airplane then hit the ground, coming to rest inverted. The pilot sustained minor injuries in the crash.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while conducting low-level altitude operations, following an encounter with wake turbulence.
To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.
This June 2024 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.
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