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N178WW accident description

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Crash location 40.334166°N, 111.297777°W
Reported location is a long distance from the NTSB's reported nearest city. This often means that the location has a typo, or is incorrect.
Nearest city Heber City, UT
40.506899°N, 111.413239°W
13.4 miles away
Tail number N178WW
Accident date 06 Nov 2010
Aircraft type Aviat Aircraft Inc A-1B
Additional details: None

NTSB Factual Report

The pilot reported that he was practicing the procedures for making approaches to back-country airstrips, and was flying in approach configuration about 40 to 60 feet over a mountain ridge. Although the wind was light and variable, just as the flight was crossing the ridge, the airplane encountered a downdraft which resulted in it suddenly losing altitude. The pilot stated that before he was able to correct the situation, one of the airplane's main gear tires came in contact with the snow-covered terrain, which resulted in the airplane slowing down and flipping over onto its back. The accident sequence resulted in damage to the top of the rudder and to one of the wing lift struts. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the ground during low-level maneuvering in mountainous/hilly terrain.

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