Primary finding
Probable cause
The diverted attention of the pilot-in-command and his failure to maintain proper altitude.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The purpose of the flight was to drop a package to two persons who were canoeing on a river. After the package was dropped, the pilot stated he was distracted for 4-6 seconds, and neglected to pull up. The airplane inadvertently struck a soft river bank. The landing gear sank in the soft ground, and the airplane nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On April 20, 1994, at 1530 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N46474, sustained substantial damage when it crashed near Howes, South Dakota. The commercial pilot and the two passengers in the airplane were not injured. The personal flight originated at the Rapid City Regional Airport. No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to drop a package to two persons who were canoeing on the river. He stated he made a low pass, dropped the package, then became distracted before he executed a pull-up and go-around. The airplane inadvertently touched down on the soft river bank. After touchdown, the landing gear sank into the soft soil, and the airplane nosed-over. -