Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The private pilot, with one passenger, was on a Title 14, CFR Part 91, personal flight when the accident occurred. The purpose of the flight was to search for a missing friend in an area of remote tree and snow-covered terrain. The pilot said that while flying slow and maneuvering at 75-feet above the ground, his passenger saw the missing man lying on the ground near a snow-covered meadow. The pilot reported that as he started a right turn back to the meadow, he added engine power, and initiated a climb, but the right wing stalled. He said that he initiated a stall recovery, but that the airplane descended nose down into the trees. The pilot said that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.
Source record
Factual narrative
The private pilot, with one passenger, was on a personal flight to search for a missing friend in an area of remote tree- and snow-covered terrain. The pilot said that while flying slow and maneuvering at 75 feet above the ground, his passenger saw the missing man lying on the ground near a snow-covered meadow. The pilot reported that, as he started a right turn back to the meadow, he added engine power and initiated a climb but that the right wing stalled. He said that he initiated a stall recovery, but that the airplane descended nose-down into the trees. The pilot said that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage.