Palmer RV6A N52VC

Summary

On 21 May 2011 at about 20:50 local time, a Palmer RV6A registered N52VC was involved in an accident near Cody, Wyoming, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 May 2011 at 20:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Cody, Wyoming, United States

Coordinates

44.0300, -109.7469

Aircraft

Palmer RV6A

Registration

N52VC

Category

Airplane

Year built

2003

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Marsing → Buffalo

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA233

2 people were seriously injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.