On February 3, 1991, a Cessna C-172 (registration N8531B) operated by John E. Ricks was involved in an aviation accident near Colstrip, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL NIGHT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, HIS LACK OF RECENT NIGHT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS, AND THE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot on a night currency training flight at a recently opened lighted airport impacted a ridgeline while on downwind in the traffic pattern. The pilot had limited night experience, all from 1984.
Accident Details
The aircraft impacted a ridgeline while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. The pilot was conducting a night currency training flight at a recently opened lighted airport. The airport is situated in an unpopulated mountainous area with very little artificial light surrounding it. At the time of the accident, there was no natural illumination.
Pilot Information
The pilot had accumulated a total of 4 hours of night flight time, with 0.8 hours as pilot-in-command. All of this experience was gained during initial pilot training in 1984. There was no recorded night flight time since that year. The pilot was not instrument rated and had no instrument flight time.
What happened in the 3 Feb 1991 Cessna C-172 accident near Colstrip, MT?
A pilot on a night currency training flight at a recently opened lighted airport impacted a ridgeline while on downwind in the traffic pattern. The pilot had limited night experience, all from 1984.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 3 Feb 1991 involved a Cessna C-172, registration N8531B, operated by John E. Ricks, at Colstrip, MT.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL NIGHT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, HIS LACK OF RECENT NIGHT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS, AND THE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN IN THE AREA.
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