NTSB Factual Report

On May 19, 2005, at 0815 mountain standard time, an Aviat A-1B, N102AM, operated by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, collided with the terrain following a loss of control during a predator control flight in Lodgepole, South Dakota. The pilot received serious injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The public use flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from a ranch in Meadow, South Dakota.

The pilot reported they were flying to Lodgepole, South Dakota, to aerial hunt coyote. The pilot stated that upon arriving in the area, he spotted a coyote and made a normal pass near it. His gunner then informed him that the shotgun had jammed so he made an "immediate 360-degree left turn." The pilot reported that when he got within 20 to 30 yards of the coyote, he encountered wake turbulence from his previous pass. He stated he applied full power and attempted to pull up. The pilot reported, "I sensed that due to the rate of descent I was going to strike the ground." The airplane contacted the terrain and became airborne before striking the terrain a second time.

NTSB Probable Cause

The poor inflight planning and the pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the low altitude at which the airplane encoutnered its own wake.