On May 21, 1992, a Cessna 177B (registration N30922) operated by Fayler, Lawrence R. was involved in an aviation accident near St. Ignatius, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADVERTENTLY ALLOWING THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER INTO A STALL/SPIN. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TERRAIN CONDITION, RISING TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft impacted mountainous terrain at 7,500 feet in a near-vertical attitude. Wreckage came to rest 45 feet downslope. No evidence of powerplant or control malfunction. Pilot had no documented mountain flight experience.
Accident Site
The accident was located at the 7,500 foot level within mountainous terrain. The specific site was a draw that sloped uphill at a gradient of +15 degrees to the west. The accident site was examined by investigators.
Impact and Wreckage
An on-site examination indicated that the aircraft impacted the ground in a near-vertical attitude. The wreckage came to rest approximately 45 feet east-southeast of the impact point, downslope from the initial contact.
Examination Findings
The examination found no evidence of powerplant malfunction. Additionally, there was no evidence of control malfunction.
Pilot Logbook Review
A review of the pilot's logbook revealed that the pilot had no previous flight experience within the state of Montana. The logbook also contained no documented mountain flight experience.
What happened in the 21 May 1992 Cessna 177B accident near St. Ignatius, MT?
An aircraft impacted mountainous terrain at 7,500 feet in a near-vertical attitude. Wreckage came to rest 45 feet downslope. No evidence of powerplant or control malfunction. Pilot had no documented mountain flight experience.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 21 May 1992 involved a Cessna 177B, registration N30922, operated by Fayler, Lawrence R., at St. Ignatius, MT.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADVERTENTLY ALLOWING THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER INTO A STALL/SPIN. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: TERRAIN CONDITION, RISING TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…