12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT

American Champion GCBC | N23BD

September 1st, 2024 | Meeteetse, Wyoming

Accident Location

  • City: Meeteetse
  • State: Wyoming
  • Latitude: 44.15963
  • Longitude: -108.86697
  • Airport ID:

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N23BD
  • Make: American Champion
  • Model: GCBC
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: Unknown
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age:
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Unknown
  • IFR Rating: Unknown
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: Unknown
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: September 1st, 2024
  • Time: 11:00 AM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: VMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Maneuvering
  • Total People Onboard: 2
  • PIC Fatality: 0
  • PAX Fatalities: 1
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 1
  • NTSB No: WPR24FA291
  • NTSB Travel: No
  • AQP Classification: 12) LOSS OF SPEED AWARENESS, U-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot did maneuver the accident aircraft at high gross weight and high density altitude for the purpose of spreading the ashes of the passengers deceased husband. The plane crashed in a stall spin nose down attitude and the passenger died at the scene the un-named pilot made a full recovery. The wreckage path was found to be vertical and all located inside a very small circle.

NTSB: The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s decision to continue the flight over rising terrain at a low altitude in a high-elevation, high-density-altitude environment.

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and become conditioned to the elements of flight in these conditions, and that they learn to honor DMMS at all times, which includes a maximum of 30 degrees bank when operating below 2500 AGL, and flight at DMMS speed at the minimum.

NTSB: NONE.

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.