On October 8, 1982, a Grumman American AA-5B (registration N81262) operated by Eugene E. Liebel was involved in an aviation accident near Albin, WY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a personal cross-country flight, an aircraft encountered near-blizzard conditions with winds up to 75 knots. The aircraft was heard circling but not seen due to snow, and impacted the ground left wing first in a shallow descent, demolishing the aircraft.
Accident Overview
A pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight when the accident occurred. No record of a pre-flight or in-flight weather briefing was found. The aircraft was heard circling in the area but was not visible due to heavy snowfall.
Weather Conditions
The weather at the accident site was described as near-blizzard conditions. Winds were reported to be between 50 and 75 knots. The heavy snow likely reduced visibility significantly, preventing visual contact with the aircraft.
Impact
The aircraft contacted the ground left wing first while in a slight bank and shallow descent. The impact occurred in an open field, and the aircraft was demolished. The specific sequence of events leading to the impact remains under investigation.
Investigation
Investigators noted the absence of a documented weather briefing. However, no causal conclusions have been drawn. The investigation continues to gather data on the circumstances of the accident.