Boeing PT-17 | N53466
September 6th, 2024 | Toledo, Washington
Accident Location
- City: Toledo
- State: Washington
- Latitude: 45.7829
- Longitude: -122.17305
- Airport ID:
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N53466
- Make: Boeing
- Model: PT-17
- Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
- Amateur Built: No
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Paulson, Christopher Marshall
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age: 72
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: No
- Pilot Certification: Airline Transport Pilot
- IFR Rating: Yes
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
- Pilot Incapacitation: No
Analysis
- Date: September 6th, 2024
- Time: 1:00 PM Local Time
- Day / Night: Day
- VMC / IMC: VMC
- Phase Of Flight: Unknown
- Total People Onboard: 2
- PIC Fatality: 0
- PAX Fatalities: 1
- Ground Fatalities: 0
- Total Fatalities: 1
- NTSB No: WPR24FA298
- NTSB Travel: Yes
- 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 highly qualified pilot chose a route that would require the ability to climb above existing route terrain. Due to weather, the pilot found himself surrounded by an area of rising terrain and attempted to maneuver to get back out. In the process, the accident pilot did experience a loss of airspeed awareness, whereupon the aircraft was stalled, spun, and impacted trees and terrain. The passenger died at the accident site, the pilot survived and is expected to make a full recovery.
NTSB: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at a low
altitude in mountainous terrain in moderately high density altitude conditions, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain.
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft use all available technology for both route, weather, and terrain avoidance planning both during preflight, and while enroute. The DTSB recommends not finding yourself in this type of situation.
NTSB:
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.