Boeing PT-17 | N53466

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.

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.

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.